The Senate was set to vote on S. 9, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, on Monday — but Democrats may put it on pause.
The bill strengthens Republican efforts to keep biological males from participating in women’s and girls’ athletics based on “gender identity,” declaring that gender would be “recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
Two Democrats from Texas, Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, crossed over what would have been a straight party line vote to get the bill through the House earlier in the year. Senate Republicans would need seven Democrats to vote with them in order to reach the necessary 60-vote threshold.
Republicans took to X to voice their disappointment in their colleagues’ opposition to the bill.
Bill sponsor Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) called out Democrats who repeatedly insist that women and girls have not lost out on trophies, medals, and scholarships due to males taking over their sports.
One of Democrats’ most frequent talking points is that men competing in women’s sports doesn’t impact that many people.
This is a LIE.
Over 900 women’s trophies have gone to men in the past 4 years. 🏆🏆🏆
This doesn’t include the THOUSANDS of women who didn’t earn a spot on…
— Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) March 3, 2025
The Senate Republicans also released a statement, saying, “For four years, Senate Democrats cheered as female athletes were forced to compete against men. Senate Republicans will ALWAYS fight for fairness and safety in women’s sports.”
For four years, Senate Democrats cheered as female athletes were forced to compete against men.
Senate Republicans will ALWAYS fight for fairness and safety in women’s sports.
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) March 3, 2025
“The vast majority of Americans have rejected the farce of men pretending to be women playing in women’s sports. But not Senate Democrats! Senate Democrats STILL want to force girls to compete against men pretending to be women,” Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) added.
The vast majority of Americans have rejected the farce of men pretending to be women playing in women's sports.
But not Senate Democrats!
Senate Democrats STILL want to force girls to compete against men pretending to be women.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) March 3, 2025
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines — who was forced to compete against and ultimately cede her trophy to trans-identifying male swimmer Lia Thomas — warned Democrats that voting against the bill could backfire on them politically in the midterm elections.
“To the Democrats who plan on voting NO on todays vote to advance the Protection of Women and Girls in Sport Act, prepare for relentless campaign ads in 2026,” she posted.
To the Democrats who plan on voting NO on todays vote to advance the Protection of Women and Girls in Sport Act, prepare for relentless campaign ads in 2026…@SenateDems https://t.co/ILaSuoRtO3
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) March 3, 2025
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) added, “Remember guys— it takes 60 votes to clear the procedural vote and break the filibuster. We have 53 GOP Senators. This is an 80/20 issue. Is your Senator voting YES?”
Remember guys— it takes 60 votes to clear the procedural vote and break the filibuster. We have 53 GOP Senators. This is an 80/20 issue. Is your Senator voting YES?
— Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) March 3, 2025
The White House also officially backed the bill on Monday just ahead of the planned procedural vote.
