In the News

Majority Whip Tom Emmer played a critical role in securing outside support from nearly two dozen key stakeholders on behalf of H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), protects fairness and safety in women’s sports by ensuring that school athletics comply with the Title IX recognition of a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

Here is what stakeholders are saying in response to H.R. 734:

Riley Gaines, Independent Women’s Voice spokeswoman and former University of Kentucky swimmer: “I experienced the need for this bill firsthand when on March 17, 2022, I was forced to compete against a biological male named Lia Thomas. Thomas was allowed to compete in the women’s division after competing as a member of the University of Pennsylvania Men’s Swim Team for three years. Thomas beat out the most impressive and accomplished female swimmers in the country, including Olympians and American record holders. (Previously, Thomas had been ranked in the 400ths – at best – in the men’s division.) The next day, I raced Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle. We tied. Having only one trophy, the NCAA handed it to Thomas and told me I would go home empty handed because Thomas needed to hold the trophy for photo purposes.

“In addition to being forced to give up our awards, our titles, and our opportunities, the NCAA forced female swimmers to share a locker room with Thomas, a 6’4” 22-year-old male equipped with (and exposing) male genitalia. We were not asked for our consent. And we did not give our consent. 

“Unfortunately, my experience is not unique, and that is why I ask you to please pass H.R. 734. The number of female athletes who have been denied opportunities, traumatized, or hurt by policies that claim to promote ‘inclusion’ is growing at an alarming rate. This is simply unacceptable, and the integrity of women's sports is eroding.”

Adriana McLamb, former collegiate volleyball player: "While not every current and former athlete may have the experience of competing against a biological man, it is our duty as female athletes to speak up for the future generations of female athletes so they never have to and for past generations who fought so hard for Title IX just to have the opportunity to compete on a fair playing field."

Donna de Varona, two-time Olympian and double Olympic gold medalist in swimming: “Protect girls’ and women’s sport to fulfill the promise of Title IX.”

Halli Gravley, Young Women for America Ambassador and collegiate synchronized skater: “Thank you legislators for addressing this important issue of protecting women’s sports. Biological men competing against biological female athletes is unfair. It is an attack on science, on physical reality, and a betrayal of women’s rights. This is not a right or left issue. This is an issue about protecting women, women’s sports, and standing for truth. I urge and ask of you to please vote yes on H.R. 734, thank you." 

Macy Petty, Young Women for America Ambassador and collegiate volleyball player: “As a female athlete, I see what sports can do for women. The self-confidence, the leadership training, the incredible experiences of sacrificing for a goal. I will continue to speak up until all female athletes everywhere have fair competition. Today’s passage of H.R. 734 is a great step, and I am deeply grateful for everyone who helped make it happen.”

Margo Knorr, former collegiate track and field athlete: "Every day I see more men dominating female competition in the news. It is a relief to see the Protection of Women in Sports Act pass the House today. Women need to protect their right to women's sports."

Martina Navratilova, former tennis champion: “It’s called the Female Athlete of the Year for a reason.”

Megan Burke, former collegiate track and field athlete: "As a two-time NCAA champion and full scholarship athlete at the University of North Carolina, I am so relieved the Protection of Women in Sports Act passed the U.S. House today. This important legislation will allow my two little girls the same opportunities I had within female athletics. Male athletes have no place in female sports. It is unfair. It is unsafe. This is a strong step in the right direction to save women's sports."

Nancy Hogshead, CEO of Champion Women and three-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming: “Fairness and safety for females must guide any federal sports policy.”

AMAC Action: “H.R. 734 is very important and timely legislation in view of the need to strengthen the current law’s existing protections for women, to ensure a level playing field for female athletes, and to protect the law from the BAssociation of Mature American Citizens (AMAC)iden administration’s radical regulatory scheme.”

Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE): “Politicians and government bureaucrats should not undermine educational and financial opportunities for women and girls, nor should they jeopardize their safety. H.R. 734 appropriately affirms the intended purpose of Title IX and is worthy of your support.”

Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee: “Protecting fairness and equality for women and girls in sports should not be a partisan issue. It should be an issue that unites all lawmakers to stand for women’s rights and the intent and purpose of Title IX for female student-athletes.”

Family Policy Alliance: “H.R. 734 will go a long way to restore women’s chances at a level playing field by enforcing the Title IX provisions that protect women and girls from discrimination and physical harm in athletics. The bill states that ‘sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth,’ making it clear that only girls and women should be allowed to participate in women’s sports—as Congress originally intended.”

Family Research Council: “The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 will help stop the tide of these injustices against women. It will restore Title IX’s even playing field for female athletes by making it a violation of federal law for schools that receive federal funds to permit a biological male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women.”

ICONS: “The Protect Women and Girls in Sports Act ensures female athletes receive the equal opportunity, safety, and fairness that was promised under Title IX. The United States must stand behind the fair and decent treatment of women. Being born female cannot mean inheriting a burden of injustice in sports.”

Independent Women's Voice and Independent Women’s Law Center: “Forcing female athletes to compete against biological males is unfair. But it’s also discriminatory. Allowing biological males to take awards, roster spots, scholarships, or spots at a school from female athletes violates Title IX’s prohibition of discrimination ‘on the basis if sex.’ This bill makes that explicitly clear and puts athletic organizations, athletic directors, and bureaucrats at the Department of Education on notice that they may not adopt policies that promote ‘inclusion’ on the backs of women.”

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: “Consistent with the USCCB’s support for this bill in the 117th Congress and the Church’s clear teaching on the equality of men and women, we reaffirm that, in education and in sports, we must seek to avoid anything that undermines human dignity, including denial of a person’s body which is genetically and biologically female or male, or unequal treatment between women and men. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was a needed landmark to establish equal educational opportunities for women and girls. H.R. 734 and S. 613 would help ensure the continued viability of Title IX.”

Comprehensive list of stakeholders supporting H.R. 734:

Adriana McLamb; Advancing American Freedom; American Conservative Union/CPAC; Alliance Defending Freedom; American Principles Project; Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC); CatholicVote; Center for Human Dignity at Family Research Council; Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE); Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee; Donna de Varona; Eagle Forum; Ethics and Public Policy Center; Family Policy Alliance; Family Research Council; Halli Gravley; Heritage Action; ICONS; Independent Council on Women's Sport; Independent Women's Voice; Independent Women's Law Center; Liberty Counsel; Macy Petty; Margo Knorr; Martina Navratilova; Megan Burke; Nancy Hogshead; Riley Gaines; U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Women’s Declaration International USA; Women's Liberation Front

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