Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, representing Alabama, has taken further steps in his ongoing efforts to safeguard women's sports. In collaboration with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee and other colleagues, Tuberville introduced several new bills aimed at protecting women and girls in athletics. These legislative efforts include a bill focused on assessing and preventing violence against women in sports, a resolution urging the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to revoke its policy on transgender student-athlete eligibility, and a resolution proposing October 10th as 'American Girls in Sports Day.'

Recently, Senator Tuberville led the reintroduction of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, also known as S. 9. This legislation seeks to maintain Title IX protections for female athletes by counteracting a Department of Education rule that requires schools to allow males to share private spaces with females and compete in women's sports under threat of losing funding. The House version of this bill passed with a vote of 218-206.

"Sports offer unlimited opportunities and teach great life lessons to our young women and girls," said Senator Tuberville. "As a former coach, I have seen firsthand the impact that Title IX has had on women's sports." He expressed concern over what he described as an attack on Title IX by the Biden administration.

The Fair Play for Girls Act is co-sponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Roger Wicker (R-MS). The resolution calling on the NCAA includes co-sponsors such as Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Katie Britt (R-AL). The 'American Girls in Sports Day' resolution has garnered support from numerous senators including John Barrasso, Katie Britt, Bill Cassidy, John Cornyn, Tom Cotton, Kevin Cramer, Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham among others.

Senator Tuberville's commitment stems from his background as an educator and coach for over four decades. He remains vocal about preserving Title IX protections amidst changes proposed by the Department of Education under President Biden's administration. Despite receiving substantial public opposition during the proposal phase, these rules were finalized in April 2024 but later rescinded quietly by President Biden after electoral losses.

Tuberville argues for legislative action to ensure future administrations cannot undermine Title IX protections again. His Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act represents this effort towards long-term safeguarding of women's rights within athletic domains.