Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, representing Alabama, has introduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, also known as S. 9. The legislation aims to preserve Title IX protections for female athletes by reversing a Department of Education rule that requires schools to allow males to share private spaces with females and compete in women's sports or risk losing funding.

Senator Tuberville, who has been an advocate for women's sports during his time in Congress, emphasized the importance of maintaining fair competition for women and girls. "President Trump ran on the issue of saving women’s sports and won in a landslide," he stated. He expressed concern over what he sees as the erosion of Title IX protections under recent policies.

The bill is co-sponsored by 29 Republican senators, including Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA) among others.

Several senators voiced their support for the legislation, emphasizing its role in ensuring fair competition for female athletes. Sen. Britt remarked on protecting opportunities for future generations: “For daughters like mine and generations to come, we’ve got to protect women and girls in sports.” Similarly, Sen. Barrasso noted that allowing biological males to compete in women's sports is "disturbing, unfair, and unsafe."

The act is endorsed by organizations such as Independent Women's Voice and Concerned Women for America. Supporters argue that it is necessary to safeguard the rights established under Title IX against any future policy changes.

In response to previous rule changes proposed by the Biden administration's Department of Education regarding gender identity participation in sports, Senator Tuberville had been vocal about his opposition. He urged officials not to alter existing protections and criticized the final rule published last year despite significant public opposition.

Tuberville's initiative comes after President Biden rescinded a proposed rule following Vice President Kamala Harris's electoral defeat last November. However, Tuberville believes legislative action is essential to prevent similar attempts from undermining Title IX protections again.