The debate over women’s sports in America has taken another dramatic turn, as Senate Democrats successfully blocked the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a bill aimed at ensuring that biological males do not compete in female athletic divisions. The vote, which fell short at 51-45, failed to reach the necessary 60 votes to break the filibuster and move forward.
The bill, spearheaded by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), sought to amend Title IX, the landmark legislation designed to protect women’s opportunities in education and athletics.
Under the proposed changes, schools receiving federal funding would be required to recognize sex “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” In other words, women’s sports teams would be protected spaces, reserved for biological females.
Republicans pushed the bill forward in response to growing concerns that allowing transgender-identifying biological males to compete in women’s sports is not only unfair but undermines the entire purpose of Title IX. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) expressed frustration with the result, calling Democrats “out of touch” on what he described as a “common-sense issue.”
Sen. Tuberville himself made his stance clear, citing a New York Times/Ipsos survey indicating that 79% of Americans believe men do not belong in women’s sports. “I hope EVERY SENATOR will join me to PERMANENTLY restore Title IX protections and protect women and girls everywhere,” Tuberville posted on X.
Despite widespread public support, Democrats remain united in opposition, claiming the legislation would have negative consequences. Some opponents argued that enforcing such rules could lead to “invasive physical inspections,” an argument often made without clear examples of where such inspections have been mandated in similar laws.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) went even further, accusing supporters of the bill of being “bigoted folks,” “assaulters,” and corporate executives looking to stir controversy.
The House already passed a version of this bill in January, led by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), and even managed to get the support of two Democrats—Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, both of Texas. However, the Senate’s failure to move forward means that unless Republicans can flip more votes or take control of the chamber, the legislation is unlikely to become law.
Adding pressure to the debate, President Donald Trump had already issued an executive order in February banning biological males from competing in women’s sports at schools receiving federal funds. The White House reiterated its strong support for Tuberville’s bill ahead of the vote, signaling that the administration sees this as a defining issue heading into the future.