The House just passed what they’re calling the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.” It’s a big deal because it affects how federal education dollars can be used in sports programs.
The vote was close – 218 to 206 – and surprisingly, two Democrats crossed party lines to support it.
So what’s this all about? The bill basically says that any school getting federal money has to keep women’s sports programs for biological females only. It’s part of Title IX, that law from the 1970s that made sure girls got equal chances in school sports.
Supporters and Critics Weigh In
The bill’s Republican author, Greg Steube from Florida, put it simply:
“Men have no place in women’s sports.”
He says this is about protecting fair competition in women’s athletics.
Riley Gaines, a former college swimming champion, showed up to support the bill. She wasn’t happy when critics said this affects too few people to matter.
She said:
“I heard that this bill is a waste of time. Let me tell you the message I received when I heard that: I’m a waste of time. Girls around the country, just like me, are a waste of time.”
Critics, mostly Democrats, say this is solving a problem that barely exists. NCAA President Charlie Baker says we’re talking about less than 1% of college athletes. They’re also worried about how schools would check someone’s eligibility.
House Democratic leader Pete Aguilar (D-CA) brings up concerns about the bill affecting kids of all ages:
“Whether you’re an Olympic athlete, an NCAA player, a high school sports player… or whether you’re just playing soccer as a 4-year-old or 5-year-old down the street.”
But supporters say it’s about more than numbers – it’s about principle. The new House Education Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) asks:
“How is this any different than keeping women off the field altogether?”
Looking ahead, the bill faces an interesting journey. It’s headed to the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority. If it passes there, it could land on President-elect Donald Trump’s desk when he takes office next week. Trump’s been vocal about supporting this kind of legislation during his campaign.
Washington v. Women
This isn’t the first time Congress has tackled this issue.
Back in 2023, the House passed almost the same bill with a 219-203 vote, but it died in the Senate. Then in 2024, they tried again with a different approach, attempting to roll back some of President Joe Biden’s changes to Title IX.
Two Texas Democrats – Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez,- voted for the bill this time. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was quick to call that a victory, saying :
“Today was an improvement. It’s bipartisan.”
But with such a slim majority in the Senate, every vote will count if this bill moves forward.
Leading Locally
Here’s something interesting – 25 states have already passed their own laws about this. They didn’t wait for Washington to act. That’s pretty much the definition of states being laboratories of democracy, right?
This month, Nevada Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony (R) launched a task force to examine similar policies at the state level. The “Lieutenant Governor’s Task Force to Protect Women’s Sports” brings together state legislators, education officials, and former athletes.
They’re planning town halls and rallies to gather public input.
The task force formation follows a recent controversy at the University of Nevada, Reno, where the volleyball team forfeited a game in October because most players sat out in protest. State Senator Carrie Buck (R-Henderson) is already drafting legislation that would create co-ed leagues and require more transparency in athletic programs.
Maybe the best solutions start right here in our own communities, not in Washington.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
