Alabama Sen. Tuberville

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville Pushes For Senate Vote To Protect Women, Girls In Sports

Alabama Sen. Tuberville
Alabama Sen. Tuberville

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined The Megyn Kelly Show on Monday to advocate for the swift passage of his Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (S.9), a bill aimed at ensuring fairness and safety in women’s sports by restricting participation to biological females.

The interview comes just ahead of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 5, as Tuberville continues his years-long effort to advance the legislation.

The bill, which has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis in January, seeks to codify protections for female athletes by preventing biological males from competing in women’s sports.

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Tuberville, a former college football coach, has been a vocal advocate for the legislation, emphasizing its importance in preserving the integrity of Title IX, the landmark 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, including athletics.

During the interview, Tuberville expressed frustration over the Senate’s delay in bringing the bill to the floor for a vote, despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress. “We’ve got to get it to the floor,” Tuberville said. “John Thune told me he’s going to get it to the floor. He hasn’t done it. Now, it’s time to put up or shut up.”

Tuberville highlighted the overwhelming public support for the legislation, citing a poll showing that 79% of Americans—across party lines—oppose allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports. “This is something that’s very dear to the heart of all parents across the country,” he said. “It’s dead wrong.”

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The senator also pointed to recent executive actions by former President Donald Trump, who signed an order defining gender as biological sex and called on Congress to pass legislation within 30 days to solidify the policy. “Executive orders only last as long as that president’s there,” Tuberville noted. “We need a law that can’t just be undone by an executive order four years from now.”

Kelly pressed Tuberville on whether Senate leadership might be hesitant to bring the bill to a vote due to concerns about its chances of passing. “Is there some belief that this can’t pass, and they only want wins right now?” she asked. Tuberville acknowledged the possibility, stating, “They’re looking at things like, ‘Hey, let’s win early. Let’s get on the scoreboard early.’ But the problem with this is we’ve already won because President Trump pushed this out there.”

Tuberville emphasized the urgency of the issue, warning that failing to act could lead to further erosion of women’s sports and safety. “It’s devastating to sports. It’s devastating to the lives of young people,” he said. “There have been rapes in dressing rooms and showers. It’s going to become a common thing if you don’t stop this now.”

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The senator also reflected on the transformative impact of Title IX over the past 50 years, crediting the law with creating opportunities for women to excel in sports and leadership roles.

“It’s the best thing that ever passed out of this place we call ‘the Swamp’ here in Washington, D.C.,” Tuberville said. “But we’re going to keep fighting for it.”

As the debate over transgender participation in sports continues to polarize the nation, Tuberville’s efforts have drawn both praise and criticism.

Supporters argue that the bill is necessary to protect the rights and safety of female athletes, while opponents contend that it discriminates against transgender individuals and undermines inclusivity in sports.

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