The House of Representatives passed legislation along party lines Thursday that would interpret Title IX to prohibit male athletes from participating in scholastic athletic events designated specifically for female athletes.
Two hundred-nineteen Republicans voted in favor of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, introduced in February by Republican Florida Rep. Greg Steube. All 203 voting Democrats opposed the legislation. President Joe Biden has promised to veto the legislation, which would categorically ban male student-athletes from participating in events designated for female student-athletes. The White House issued a Title IX interpretation on April 11 that would prohibit “categorical” sex-based sporting events, but still allow some restrictions.
Female Republican representatives emphasized the importance of sports as a formative experience for girls and young women during a press conference held just before the vote.
“If you talk to women leaders today, so many had opportunities playing sports growing up,” Republican Conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York said. Sports teaches important life skills, she noted, including “leadership, discipline, [and] teamwork.”
