Senate Republicans Move to Keep Men Out of Women’s Sports

The amendment explicitly clarifies that the Act’s preemption clause does not apply to any state or local law that “prohibits biological men from playing in women’s sports.”

“Biological men should never be allowed in women’s sports or women’s locker rooms,” said Senator Hawley in a press release. “We’ve got to make sure state laws protecting women stand.”

Idaho led the nation on girls’ sports, and the Supreme Court just agreed — a 6-3 ruling upholds Idaho’s ban on male athletes in women’s sports after a six-year fight.
Plus: 110,000 signatures push abortion toward Idaho’s ballot, a Boise family sues over Potato Drop injuries, and… pic.twitter.com/R4whh9ciYP

— Local Yocal Idaho (@LocalYocalIdaho) July 9, 2026

Banks noted that Indiana has one of the strongest laws in the country that keeps biological men from competing in women’s sports. As the father of three daughters, I can’t support any legislation that would preempt Indiana’s law. This amendment would make sure the Protect College Sports Act protects female athletes.”

Tuberville stressed that  “Protecting girls and women’s sports is the civil rights issue of our time,” and said that Democrats “have proven again and again they don’t give a rip about protecting women from mentally ill men who wake up one day and decide to dress up like a girl.”

NCAA vs state law is becoming a major women’s sports showdown.

If states can pass laws protecting female competition, should the NCAA be forced to follow those laws inside those states?

This is about fairness, equal opportunity, and state sovereignty.#WomensSports pic.twitter.com/pG3qe1eL13

— Dr. Hill (@drhilllaw42) July 7, 2026

Idaho became the first state to pass a law barring biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports when Gov. Brad Little signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act in March 2020. The measure required athletic teams from elementary school through college to prohibit males from competing against females, according to The New York Times.

Other states soon followed. Eight more adopted similar requirements in 2021. By mid-2026, 27 states had enacted similar legislation. 

The laws faced repeated court challenges from the far left, which has been trying to force gender ideology into sports and other institutions. However, the U.S. Supreme Court settled the matter in late June when it upheld the Idaho and West Virginia statutes in a 6-3 decision. 

Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote, “Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex. The Constitution and Title IX do not require an overhaul of women’s and girls’ sports throughout America.” Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) called the ruling “a historic moment for common sense.”