Democrats block effort to preserve Title IX
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) forced a vote on an amendment that would protect female athletes by keeping men out of women’s sports – 51 Democrats voted to block the amendment from proceeding. Sen. Tuberville originally introduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in 2022, but Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has refused to bring it to the floor for a vote. Sen. Tuberville put 51 Democrats on record voting against protecting women’s sports.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act would preserve Title IX protections for female athletes and ensure fair, safe competition in women’s sports across the country. Senator Tuberville’s legislation would counteract the Biden administration’s plans to force institutions to allow biological males to compete in women’s sports and share locker rooms with females. As a former coach who began his career coaching high school girls’ basketball and witnessed the positive impacts of Title IX firsthand, Senator Tuberville has become a leader in efforts pushing back against radical attempts to undermine athletic competition for women and girls.
Senator Tuberville’s amendment would have prevented funds passed in the spending bill from going to K-12 schools and institutions of higher education that permit biological males to participate in sports and activities designated for women and girls.
Senator Tuberville’s remarks can be found below or watched on YouTube or Rumble.
“Thank you, Mr. President. I still can’t believe we’re having serious conversations about men competing in women’s sports. We’ve lost our minds.
“I know many of you have daughters. I know some of you have daughters, nieces, and granddaughters that play sports. My amendment will protect the integrity of women and girls in sports. […]
“I’m here to fight for the future of women and girls’ sports – for the safety of their locker rooms and showers. The Biden Department of Education is doing the opposite. My amendment is simple – to ensure only biological women can compete against each other. An educational institution should not be able to use funds to facilitate biological males competing in [women’s] sports.
“It’s time to draw the line in the sand. Women are being attacked in the dressing room. It’s time to show what side you’re on. When you vote, I hope you take a look in the camera and smile and then you go home and explain your vote to your daughters and granddaughters and young women in your family.”
BACKGROUND:
Specifically, Senator Tuberville’s amendment, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act:
- Ensures Title IX provisions treat gender as “recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
- Bans recipients of federal funding from operating, sponsoring, or facilitating athletic programs that permit a male to participate in a women’s sporting event.
As a former educator, mentor, and coach for more than 40 years, Senator Tuberville is concerned about the future of girls’ and women’s sports. He began his career coaching high school girls’ basketball shortly after the enactment of Title IX, and witnessed the law’s positive impacts firsthand. Senator Tuberville has been a vocal advocate of preserving Title IX and urged Joe Biden’s Department of Education officials to keep the protections in place.
Senator Tuberville hosted a roundtable last week with athletes, parents, and coaches about the importance of preserving Title IX.
In February, Senator Tuberville introduced a bill to ban men from competing in women’s U.S. Olympic sports. This bill came in response to USA Boxing’s announcement it would allow men to box against women.
In March 2023, Senator Tuberville led 26 Republican colleagues in reintroducing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 to preserve Title IX protections for female athletes and ensure fair, safe competition in women’s sports across the country. Coach’s bill passed the House in April 2023.
In June 2022, 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.
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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