Women’s sports advocates faced a disappointing setback on Monday night as all Democratic senators present voted against a bill that aimed to prohibit males who identify as transgender from competing against women in sports.
The bill in question, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, failed to advance to a final vote due to the lack of seven Democratic votes needed for approval. Democrats argued that the bill was discriminatory towards transgender individuals, while Republicans criticized opponents as being anti-women and out of touch with the majority of Americans.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who sponsored the legislation, expressed his disappointment following the vote, stating, “Well, at least now the American people know the truth. Democrats STILL support men competing in women’s sports. This is far from over. I’ll NEVER stop fighting to protect women and girls.”
The bill specifically outlined that under Title IX regulations, which prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded programs, an individual’s sex should be determined solely based on their reproductive biology and genetics at birth. It also aimed to prevent any recipient of federal funding from allowing males to participate in women’s sports programs or activities.
On the opposing side, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., explained his decision to vote against the bill, emphasizing that he did not see the issue as a significant problem. He stated, “The small handful of trans athletes in PA in a political maelstrom deserve an ally and I am one. Empty show votes or cruelty on social media aren’t part of a thoughtful, dignified solution.”
Recent data from the United Nations indicated that transgender athletes have claimed approximately 900 medals that would have otherwise been won by around 600 female athletes. Furthermore, a poll conducted by the New York Times revealed that nearly 80% of Americans, including a majority of Democratic voters, did not support transgender-identifying men participating in women’s sports.
The legislation would have essentially codified former President Donald Trump’s executive order from February 5, which reversed policies implemented during the Biden administration that expanded Title IX to include gender identity and prohibited transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at educational institutions.
Following Trump’s order, several Democrat-led states, including Maine, faced the threat of federal lawsuits for noncompliance. The National Collegiate Athletic Association partially complied with the order by banning male athletes from participating in sanctioned competitions but still allowing them to train with women’s teams and receive certain benefits.
The enforcement of Trump’s order and potential future Title IX regulations remains uncertain, particularly if the Department of Education undergoes dismantlement as proposed by the former president.
Overall, the debate surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports continues to be a contentious issue, with both sides expressing strong opinions on the matter.
