A woman according to Rep. Madison Cawthorn: 'XX chromosomes, no tallywhacker'

Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) defined a woman as a person with "XX chromosomes" and "no tallywhacker" during a speech on the House floor Monday, The Guardian reports.
"Madame Speaker," Cawthorn began, "the left has ripped away the pen of truth from the Author of Life." (Cawthorn describes himself as a devout Christian and frequently includes biblical references in his speeches.) "They're exchanged natural science for a party platform and declared war on biology," he continued. "You can't even define what a woman is! You might amend a bill, but you'll never amend biology."
Cawthorn then offered his own definition of a woman. "Take notes, Madam Speaker," he said, "I'm about to define what a woman is for you: XX chromosomes, no tallywhacker."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cawthorn's comments come two weeks after Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson told Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) she would not provide a definition of a woman because she is "not a biologist."
Cawthorn made headlines last week when he accused D.C. inviting him to orgies and using cocaine in front of him, allegations he later admitted had almost no basis in reality.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Bangladesh plane crash kills at least 25 children
Speed Read A fighter jet experienced a mechanical failure and crashed into a school in Dhaka
-
28 nations condemn Israel's 'inhumane killing' in Gaza
Speed Read Countries including Australia, France, Japan and the U.K. have released a joint statement condemning Israel's ongoing attacks
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports