House Republicans are now setting up a vote that will take place next week on a bill that, if passed and eventually signed into law, would keep biological males out of girls’ and women’s sports in collegiate and public school sports across the nation.
That bill is the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which was introduced by Rep. Greg Steube. Rep. Steube, a Florida Republican, says it’s time to “save women’s sports” from biological males who have “no place” competing against women in sports.
Specifically, he said that “The policies of the woke, progressive Left have invaded schools and campuses across America. Allowing biological males on women’s sports teams and in their locker rooms creates an unfair competitive environment for female athletes. Americans deserve the opportunity to see where their elected representatives stand on this incredibly important issue. I look forward to voting in favor of this legislation to save women’s sports on the House floor very soon.”
The summary of the bill, which was introduced in February, provides that:
This bill generally prohibits school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs that are for women or girls.
Specifically, the bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. (Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities.) Under the bill, sex is based on an individual’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
The bill does not prohibit male individuals from training or practicing with programs or activities for women or girls as long as such training or practice does not deprive any female of corresponding opportunities or benefits.
The legislation is backed by Riley Gaines, the champion of women’s sports who was recently assaulted by radical trans activists. In a statement on the bill, she said, “As an athlete who has experienced the injustice of competing against a male firsthand, I’m grateful for the leadership of Representative Steube. He has made it clear that he will fight for fairness, privacy, and safety for girls and women in sports.”
Senator Tubervill of Alabama has introduced the bill in the Senate as well. Speaking on that decision, he said, “Throughout my coaching career, I saw the incomparable success of Title IX and the educational and personal opportunities sports have provided to millions of female athletes. For more than 50 years, this law has empowered young women to grow personally, compete professionally, and receive scholarships to further their education. The positive impacts of a fair playing field in women’s sports are unmatched, but the Biden administration is forcing female athletes to the sidelines by allowing biological males to compete where they do not belong. It’s unfair, it’s unsafe, and it’s wrong. We cannot stand by and let girls and women in sports lose to the radical left’s agenda. I am proud to introduce this legislation, and will continue fighting to preserve a level playing field for all current and future female athletes.”
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