Senate Dems Block Protections for Women’s Sports Against Male Competitors [WATCH]

Legislation aimed at restricting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports divisions failed to advance in the Senate on Monday night, as Democrats united against the measure.

The bill, which sought to define Title IX protections “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth,” fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward, with a 51-45 party-line vote.

These 45 cowardly Senators just voted against keeping men out of your daughter’s sports.

Never let them forget it. pic.twitter.com/njZ2iP872l

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 4, 2025

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The bill’s defeat comes amid ongoing Republican efforts to solidify policies ensuring that school athletic competitions designated for female athletes remain exclusive to biological females.

President Donald Trump had already signed an executive order last month directing federal agencies to enforce Title IX according to the administration’s stance that “sex” refers to biological gender at birth.

MEN DO NOT BELONG IN WOMEN’S SPORTS. https://t.co/Vg7ea025ob pic.twitter.com/iskbT6H3YU

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 4, 2025

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While the executive order set a broad directive, Republican lawmakers aimed to enshrine the policy into law by amending Title IX, a 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

“Around the country we have seen men—biological men who identify as women—take up spaces and medals in athletics meant for actual women,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said in support of the bill. “This is a matter of fairness and equality.”

The legislation had already cleared the House, with only two Democrats crossing party lines to support it.

However, the Senate’s rejection highlights the uphill battle Republicans face in passing laws that place restrictions on transgender participation in sports.

Democrats dismissed the measure as an unnecessary federal intervention and accused Republicans of stoking division.

“What Republicans are doing today is inventing a problem to stir up a culture war and divide people against each other,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, in a floor speech opposing the bill.

45 Democratic Senators voted NO on Protecting Women & Girls in Sports.

Never, ever let them gaslight you into thinking Democrats care about ‘women’s rights’… pic.twitter.com/I1IyApksIH

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) March 4, 2025

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., also argued against the proposal, stating, “This is a decision for sports leagues to thoughtfully craft policy that actually takes seriously what is best for all players, not blanket mandates that will undoubtedly have unintended consequences for the safety of all students.”

Despite the Senate setback, Republicans across the country continue to push similar legislation at the state level.

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly addressed the issue, finding that concerns over fairness in women’s sports resonated with voters beyond traditional party lines.

Polling by AP VoteCast found that more than half of surveyed voters believed support for transgender rights in government and society had gone too far.

Following Trump’s executive order, the NCAA updated its policies, restricting participation in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth, marking a significant shift in its approach to transgender eligibility.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, lawmakers prepared for a similar debate over a GOP-backed bill applying to primary and secondary schools.

Ahead of the legislative session, supporters rallied at the state Capitol in St. Paul, emphasizing the importance of protecting girls’ opportunities in sports and ensuring fair competition.

Opponents, including LGBTQ+ activists and Democratic lawmakers, condemned the bill as discriminatory.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson responded to the Senate vote in a statement, saying, “Every child should have the opportunity to experience the simple joys of being young and making memories with their friends. But bills like these send the message that transgender kids don’t deserve the same opportunities to thrive as their peers simply because of who they are.”

With the Senate rejecting the bill and legal battles over transgender participation in sports continuing nationwide, the debate over fairness, biology, and inclusion in athletics is expected to remain a focal point in upcoming legislative sessions and the broader political landscape.

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