WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today authored an op-ed in 1819 News about the importance of preserving a level playing field for girls’ and women’s sports to commemorate the 51st Anniversary of Title IX. In the op-ed, Senator Tuberville shares the Title IX stories of Rachel and Adi Argent, two women from Alabama who experienced personal and professional success from fair athletic competition.
Earlier this year, Senator Tuberville led 21 of his Republican Senate colleagues in issuing a clear rebuke to the Department of Education’s proposed rule change to Title IX that will allow biological males to compete in female sports. Their rebuke followed Senator Tuberville’s call for the U.S. Senate to vote on the Protection of Women and Girls and Sports Act, his bill to prevent biological males from competing in girls and women’s sports, after the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the legislation.
Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s op-ed can be found below and the full op-ed can be found here.
“Fifty-one years ago this week, Congress passed Title IX, a law ensuring equal access for men and women to the lessons, life skills, and opportunities that come from sports. It’s been one of the most successful pieces of legislation to come out of Congress in my lifetime. I saw its impact firsthand during 40 years of coaching. One of my first jobs out of college was coaching junior girls’ basketball. Title IX was just being implemented when I took that job, and I saw the immediate difference it made.”
“This change had a real impact on Alabama’s women, including athletes like Rachel Argent of Thorsby High School in Chilton County. Rachel credits sports forteaching her many valuable lessons, such as time management, discipline, and being a team player. Rachel earned a basketball scholarship to Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette. After completing her two-year degree, she got a softball scholarship at Samford University. After college, Rachel returned to Thorsby High School as a teacher and coach. She taught health and physical education for grades K-12. She coached girls’ softball, basketball, track, and volleyball, impacting hundreds of girls in Alabama. And it was all made possible by Title IX. Rachel’s daughter Adi played softball, tennis, golf, and basketball at Chilton County High School. She got a golf scholarship to the University of Mobile, where she recently graduated with a nursing degree. Now she’s using the skills she developed as a competitive athlete to help kids at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham.”
“Taxpayers do not want to foot the bill for an extremist policy forcing girls to compete against biological males. Poll after poll shows that Americans agree with this idea—and those poll numbers are only going up. People are waking up to the extremism of the Democrats on this issue. As we mark the anniversary of Title IX, we celebrate our female athletes and all they have accomplished. But we also should commit ourselves to taking action. It’s time to save Title IX and save women’s sports.”
BACKGROUND
Last year, on the 50th Anniversary of Title IX’s enactment, the U.S. Department of Education issued a proposed rule to allow biological males to compete in women’s sports. Senator Tuberville offered a public comment to the proposed rule, citing his concern about the negative implications it would cause for female athletes. The department proceeded forward with its decision to finalize the rule, which is now expected to be published in May of this year. It is expected that the rule will take effect during the 2023-2024 school year.
Senator Tuberville has been a vocal advocate of preserving Title IX and urged ED officials to keep the protections in place. More information about the Senator’s efforts regarding Title IX can be found below.
- NEWSNATION: Tuberville bill would bar ‘biological male’ athletes from girls sports
- NATIONAL REVIEW: Female Athletes Are Losing to the Radical Left
- WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Tuberville bill would defund women’s sports programs that allow biological men
- FOX & FRIENDS: Senator Tuberville joins Fox and Friends to discuss the 50th Anniversary of Inflation and Title IX
- FOX & FRIENDS: Tuberville Calls for Fairness in Women’s Sports
- DAILY WIRE: Ahead of 50th Anniversary of Title IX, Senator Tuberville Warns Biden Admin is Hacking Away at Women’s Progress
- DAILY WIRE: Senator Tuberville: Biden Title IX Modifications Will Destroy ‘Opportunities For Generations Of Women And Girls’
- WASHINGTON EXAMINER: Biden executive order will ruin women’s sports and erode Title IX
- DAILY CALLER: Dr. Ben Carson, Sen. Tuberville Break Down Why They Think Trans Athletes Shouldn’t Compete In Women’s Sports
- AL.COM: U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville says Biden administration pushing women to the sidelines
- WATCH: Tuberville on Biden Administration’s Upcoming Title IX Proposed Rule: ‘It would take a wrecking ball to the five decades of Title IX success and tilt what was a level playing field to the far left’
- WATCH: Tuberville Presses Under Secretary of Education Nominee on Title IX, Free Speech on Campus
- WATCH: Tuberville: The Real March Madness
- Tuberville Warns Secretary Cardona Against Weakening Title IX Protections
- Tuberville Emphasizes Importance of Title IX Protections
- Tuberville Offers Amendment Protecting Women’s Title IX Rights
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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