WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on International Women’s Day, the U.S. House of Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee is marking up H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Independent Women’s Voice (IWV) and Independent Women’s Law Center (IWLC) have worked closely with U.S. Representative Greg. Steube (R-Fla.) on this critical policy measure and appreciate Chairwoman Foxx making this a committee priority. IWV looks toward swift passage of H.R. 734 in the U.S. House of Representatives following today’s committee markup.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act amends Title IX to strengthen protections for female athletes and make clear that allowing biological males to take awards, roster spots, scholarships, or spots at a school from female athletes is discriminatory and illegal.
The letter, written by Independent Women’s Law Center and Independent Women’s Voice, supports the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. In part, the letter states: “More than 50 years ago, Congress enacted Title IX to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of education, including athletics. But without single-sex teams and single-sex competition, equal athletic opportunity is but a farce.”
“Allowing even a single female athlete to be displaced by a biological male is discriminatory, and it is unacceptable. We are grateful for Representative Steube’s leadership and for his efforts to protect equal athletic opportunities for both sexes,” said Jennifer Braceras, Independent Women’s Law Center Director, Independent Women’s Forum.
“As an athlete who has experienced the injustice of competing against a male firsthand, I’m grateful for the leadership of Representative Steube. He has made it clear that he will fight for fairness, privacy, and safety for girls and women in sports,” said Riley Gaines, 12x NCAA All American Swimmer and Independent Women’s Forum Spokeswoman.