Alaska’s Congressman Nick Begich voted with House Republicans to pass a Trump-backed bill that would prohibit so-called transgender “women” from competing against biological females in school sports. Schools that fail to comply would risk losing federal education funding.
The “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” passed the House on a 218-206 vote with two Democrats joining the Republicans. It now heads to the Senate where it may have a more difficult path.
“For generations, women have fought tirelessly for equal access in athletics and this important piece of legislation reaffirms our commitment to that fight,” Begich stated following the Jan. 14 vote. “This bill is essential to protecting female athletes and ensuring that sports programs remain fair and competitive for all.”
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act specifically seeks to safeguard female athletes in school sports, collegiate programs, and professional leagues. The bill ensures that women’s sports are protected, preserving a level playing field and the future of women’s athletics.
Congressman Begich emphasized that the legislation is not about exclusion, rather the bill is focused on upholding the principle of fairness.
“All athletes deserve equal opportunities to succeed. But we cannot allow the rights of female athletes to be impeded in the name of political correctness,” he said. “This bill is a necessary step to ensure that women and girls can continue to compete on equal terms and that their hard-won progress in sports is protected for future generations.”
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Whether the bill will make it through the closely divided Senate is unclear. Republicans enjoy a 53-47 majority, but they may need to overcome the 60-vote filibuster, especially if no Democrats back the legislation.
If the bill becomes law, it would require schools to define “gender” based “solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth,” rather than a person’s inner sense of what they may or may not be.
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