U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have introduced parallel resolutions in the House of Representatives and Senate urging the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to revoke its policy allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports.
The lawmakers argue that the NCAA’s policy undermines the fairness and integrity of women’s athletics and conflicts with Title IX protections.
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“Women’s sports were created to ensure fairness and opportunity for female athletes,” Rep. Steube said. “The NCAA’s discriminatory policy jeopardizes that fairness, putting women at a competitive disadvantage while creating safety threats. Denying biological reality erases decades of progress for women in sports and undermines the very foundation of Title IX.”
Senator Blackburn echoed these concerns, highlighting the real-world consequences for female athletes. “Young women across the country have suffered injuries, faced sexual harassment, and lost accolades because they were forced to share spaces designed for women with men,” she said. “The vast majority of Americans agree athletes should only be allowed to compete on teams that correspond with their biological sex.”
Key Points of the Resolution
- Calls on the NCAA to revoke its policy permitting transgender-identifying males to compete in women’s sports.
- Urges the NCAA to prohibit biological males from competing on women’s teams and adopt a uniform, sex-based policy for all sports and divisions.
- Encourages all sports-governing bodies in the United States to protect women’s sports as a category exclusively for biological females.
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The resolution also praised the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for taking decisive steps to protect the integrity of women’s sports and urged the NCAA to follow its example.
The resolution has garnered significant backing from lawmakers. In the House, cosponsors include Representatives Harriet Hageman, Riley Moore, Lauren Boebert, and others. Senate cosponsors include high-profile legislators such as Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.).
The resolution is part of a broader campaign led by Rep. Steube to defend the integrity of women’s athletics. His Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act recently passed the House with bipartisan support, highlighting growing momentum to address what many lawmakers see as a fundamental fairness issue.
“This is not just about sports,” Steube said. “It’s about ensuring that women and girls have the same opportunities to succeed as they’ve had for decades under Title IX.”
The NCAA’s policy, implemented in 2010, permits biological males to compete in women’s sports under certain conditions. Critics argue this creates an uneven playing field, jeopardizing safety and fairness. By contrast, the NAIA has adopted measures to ensure that women’s teams remain exclusively for biological females.
Proponents of the NCAA’s policy say it reflects inclusivity and equality for transgender athletes. However, the resolution’s sponsors argue that the policy unfairly prioritizes one group over another, erasing opportunities for biological women.
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The resolution, while non-binding, sends a strong message to the NCAA and other sports governing bodies. It reflects a growing political and cultural debate over the intersection of sports, gender identity, and fairness.
As the NCAA gathers for its annual meeting in Nashville this week, this resolution is likely to intensify the spotlight on its policies and their impact on women’s athletics.
“This is a defining moment for women’s sports,” Senator Blackburn said. “We must ensure that the progress achieved under Title IX is not undone.”
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