In a significant move, the newly elected 119th Congress, under Republican control and with re-elected Speaker Mike Johnson, has designated a bill addressing transgender athletes' participation in women's sports as a top priority. This action is slated for consideration within the first 100 days of the new session, following the approval of a new rules package.
The bill aims to amend Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, stipulating that an individual's sex will be determined solely based on their reproductive biology and genetics at birth for athletic competition purposes. This directly counters previous efforts by Democrats, including the Equality Act and the Transgender Bill of Rights, as well as executive orders from the Biden administration, which sought to promote transgender inclusion in sports.
The shift in momentum comes after a period of declining Democratic support for transgender inclusion in sports, fueled by public debate and an approaching election year. The Biden administration even withdrew a proposed rule that would have prohibited states from enacting bans on transgender athletes in women's sports.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), who is reintroducing the bill, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, applauded the vote. He stated that the legislation reflects the will of the American people and aligns with the Republican commitment to protecting women's sports. Steube emphasized that the bill aims to ensure fairness and safety in women’s sports by requiring that biological females compete only against other biological females in federally funded programs.
Various women's advocacy groups have also expressed support for the bill. Concerned Women for America (CWA) lauded the move as a necessary step to protect women's dignity and address what they perceive as an attack on women's spaces. Similarly, Heritage Action for America celebrated the vote, highlighting it as a key conservative priority.
A CWA exit poll indicated that a significant percentage of moderate voters considered former President Trump's stance on transgender issues in sports and bathrooms to be an important factor in the 2024 election.
