Overview

• The Senate voted 51-45 to block the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
• The bill sought to ban transgender girls and women from participating in female sports teams in federally funded schools, defining sex based on reproductive biology at birth.
• Democrats argued the legislation lacked clear enforcement mechanisms, raised privacy concerns, and constituted federal overreach into local and state sports policies.
• Republicans, led by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, framed the bill as necessary to protect fairness and safety in women’s sports, citing broad public support in polls.
• LGBTQ+ advocates praised Senate Democrats for their unified opposition, viewing the vote as a critical stand against broader efforts to curtail transgender rights.