Trans sports bill to codify Trump order falls to filibuster
A Republican-led Senate bill aimed at preventing boys from participating in girls’ sports failed to advance after falling short of the necessary 60-vote threshold to overcome the legislative filibuster on Monday night. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, introduced by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL, would require Title IX to recognize gender solely based on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth, without any adjustments for gender identity.
The bill, which had over 40 cosponsors in the Senate, failed to clear the procedural hurdle by a vote of 51-45, with all Democratic senators voting against the motion to proceed. The White House had expressed strong support for the bill, which aimed to prevent male competitive participation in women’s sports for reasons of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.
The legislation sought to codify one of former President Trump’s executive orders titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which aimed to oppose male participation in women’s sports more broadly. The bill would also ban federal funding from going toward sports programs that allow biological men to compete in women’s and girls’ sports.
Sen. Tuberville, who has been leading efforts to safeguard women’s and girls’ sports for years, emphasized the importance of preserving Title IX and ensuring fair competition for female athletes. He highlighted the need to protect the rights of women and girls to compete on a level playing field without facing unfair competition from biological males.
The bill and executive order were introduced amid growing concerns about transgender individuals participating in women’s sports and winning in events and leagues designated for females. Supporters of the legislation argued that allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports undermines the integrity of Title IX and poses a threat to the future of female athletes.
Despite the bill’s failure to advance in the Senate, Republicans have vowed to continue fighting for the protection of women’s and girls’ sports. The issue has sparked debate within the Democratic Party, with some members facing backlash for their support of transgender participation in women’s sports.
As the debate over gender and sports continues, the focus remains on ensuring fair competition and equal opportunities for female athletes. The push to preserve Title IX and uphold the integrity of women’s sports remains a priority for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
