OKC Standard

Senators James Lankford and Tommy Tuberville have reintroduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, aiming to maintain Title IX protections for female athletes. The legislation seeks to prevent biological males from competing in women's sports or sharing locker rooms with female athletes.

"Common sense should tell us that women and girls shouldn’t be forced to compete in sports or share a school locker room with biological males," stated Senator Lankford. He expressed his intent to uphold equal opportunities for future generations of female athletes, criticizing the Biden Administration's stance on gender issues.

Senator Tuberville echoed these sentiments, referencing former President Trump's campaign focus on preserving women's sports. "70% of Americans agree—men don’t belong in women’s sports or locker rooms," he said. Tuberville emphasized the importance of Title IX, which he believes has been undermined in recent years. He urged Congress to act decisively to protect these rights.

The bill has garnered support from several Republican senators, including Jim Banks, John Barasso, Marsha Blackburn, Katie Britt, Ted Budd, Shelley Moore Capito, Tom Cotton, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Steve Daines, Joni Ernst, Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Ron Johnson, John Kennedy, Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Marshall, Rand Paul, Pete Ricketts, Jim Risch Eric Schmitt Rick Scott Tim Scott Tim Sheehy Dan Sullivan Thom Tillis and Roger Wicker.

The proposed legislation responds to actions taken by the Biden Administration over the past four years regarding Title IX rulemaking at the Department of Education. It aims to reverse policies that require schools to allow males access to private spaces designated for females and participation in women's sports teams under threat of losing federal funding. The bill is supported by organizations such as Independent Women's Voice Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee Heritage Action for America and Family Policy Alliance.