Senate Dems face backlash after trans athlete bill fails to break filibuster

Senate Democrats faced criticism on Monday after the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act failed to pass due to a lack of support from their party. The bill, which aimed to require Title IX to recognize gender based solely on biological sex at birth, was ultimately defeated in a 51-45 vote, falling short of the 60 votes needed to break the filibuster.

Republicans, who needed 60 votes to pass the bill, only received 51, with no Democrats crossing party lines to support the legislation. Two Democrats were absent from the vote, as were two Republicans, resulting in the bill’s failure to advance.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., had more than 40 co-sponsors in the Senate and sought to prevent any adjustments to Title IX based on gender identity. The bill also aimed to codify an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump, which prohibited biological males from competing in women’s and girls’ sports.

House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., and advocates for fairness in women’s and girls’ sports expressed disappointment over the lack of support from Senate Democrats. Two House Democrats had previously voted in favor of the bill in January.

President Trump’s executive order, which the Tuberville-backed bill sought to codify, would have withheld federal funding from states that allowed transgender inclusion in women’s and girls’ sports. The bill’s defeat sparked outrage among supporters of the legislation, including athletes Riley Gaines and Jennifer Sey, who voiced their opinions on social media.

Despite the setback, supporters of the bill remain hopeful that similar legislation will be introduced in the future. The defeat of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act underscores the ongoing debate over transgender inclusion in sports and the need for clearer guidelines to ensure fairness and equality for all athletes.