Weekly Column: From The Mailbag--Protecting Women And Girls In Sports

As participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me regularly with valuable input about the issues our country faces.  The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act is one of the issues Idahoans have contacted me about, and I am an original co-sponsor of this legislation.  The following is a condensed version of my response:

S. 613, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, would make it a violation of Title IX--which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs that receive federal funding--for schools to allow a biological male to compete in an athletic program designed for women or girls.  On April 20, 2023, the House of Representatives passed its version of this legislation, H.R. 734, and I continue to work toward Senate passage of this measure.

Overall, I understand the importance of preserving the integrity of girls’ and women’s sports, especially in light of the Biden Administration’s new interpretation of Title IX.  Under the Administration’s radical Title IX re-interpretation, any biological male who self-identifies as a woman will be protected by Title IX, which undermines the law’s intention of providing equal educational opportunities for women, including in athletics.  If “sex” is redefined to mean “gender identity”, female student athletes would not only be competing against each other for scholarship opportunities, but also against biological males, which may deny women opportunities to play collegiate sports.  Although the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) final rule on Title IX was officially released on April 19, 2024, a number of federal judges have since blocked its enforcement in many states around the country, including Idaho. 

Since ED published its final rule, I have supported efforts to prevent its implementation.  On June 12, 2024, I joined Senate Republicans in introducing S.J.Res. 96 to nullify the Biden Administration’s redefinition of Title IX.  A companion resolution, H.J. Res. 165, passed the House of Representatives on July 12, 2024, by a vote of 210-205.  Should either version of this resolution receive a vote in the full Senate, I will support its adoption. 

At the state level, Idaho passed a law preventing biological males from participating in female sport divisions in 2020.  Since then, more than 20 other states have passed similar laws.  Idaho was sued to prevent the law from taking effect, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in May 2021.  Due to technical issues, the Court has suspended proceedings in this case indefinitely.   

Moving forward, I will continue to do all I can to counter the Biden Administration’s attempts to undermine Title IX and the integrity of women’s sports.  In doing so, I will keep the views and experiences of Idahoans like you in mind.  

Realizing many Idahoans may not have the chance to contact me, I post information about issues of importance on my website, at http://crapo.senate.gov, as well as news releases, information about accessing my Facebook and YouTube pages and following me on Twitter and Instagram.  Resources to assist Idahoans who need help with federal agencies and how to contact me are also on the website and as follows:

• Boise

251 E. Front St., Suite 205

Boise ID, 83702

Phone: (208) 334-1776

Fax: (208) 334-9044

• Coeur d' Alene

610 Hubbard, Suite 209

Coeur d' Alene, ID 83814

Phone: (208) 664-5490

Fax: (208) 664-0889

• Idaho Falls

410 Memorial Dr., Suite 204

Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Phone: (208) 522-9779

Fax: (208) 529-8367

• Lewiston

313 'D' St., Suite 105

Lewiston, ID 83501

Phone: (208) 743-1492

Fax: (208) 743-6484

• Pocatello

275 S. 5th Ave., Suite 100

Pocatello, ID 83201

Phone: (208) 236-6775

Fax: (208) 236-6935

• Twin Falls

202 Falls Ave., Suite 2
Twin Falls, ID 83301

Phone: (208) 734-2515

Fax: (208) 733-0414

• Washington, D.C.

239 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-6142

Fax: (202) 228-1375

The messages you send me help shape my approach on a number of important matters.  Please continue to contact me and share your thoughts and ideas. 

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