U.S. CAPITOL building, the seat of Congress, in Washington, D.C. (Wikipedia photo).

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted on party lines to bar transgender athletes who were considered male at birth to compete on girls or women’s sports teams at schools and colleges supported by federal funds.

The vote was 219-203 but the bill is unlikely to become law because it is given little chance to win approval in the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats. Additionally, President Joe Biden has promised to veto the bill if reaches his desk.

If approved and signed into law it would affect most schools and colleges as even many private institutions of learning receive some federal money, directly or indirectly.

‘Starship’ explodes after takeoff

The biggest and most powerful rocket ever launched turned out to be a big fireworks show. The SpaceX rocket exploded just a few minutes after its launch in southern Texas.

According to the Associated Press, SpaceX said that when “multiple engines” on the rocket didn’t fire, the rocket was deliberately destroyed and fell into the Gulf of Mexico after a four minute flight.

The device was unmanned and carried no satellites. The company termed the event a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.”

Also in the news … Tornados killed three people, did damage to many houses and cut off power to thousands of people in Oklahoma on Thursday.

Sports: Angels lose game, catcher; Dodgers win

The Los Angeles Angels lost 9-3 to the New York Yankees and lost catcher Lohan O’Hoppe to the injured reserve list on Thursday.

New York scored five runs in the first inning, shelling starter Patrick O’Donnell (1-1). Ironically, the Angels best hitter – before leaving the game with shoulder pain – was O’Hoppe, who went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in.

The Orange County team is 9-10 and third in the American League West. They’re back in Anaheim on Friday to open a series with the Kansas City Royals.

Also on Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers (10-10) scored four runs in the top of the ninth to beat the Chicago Cubs. James Outman hit a grand slam home run. They are second in the NL West.

The Blue Crew will continue in Chicago on Friday.