Senate Democrats block Republican-backed bill aimed at banning transgender athletes from women’s sports

 Senate Democrats block Republican-backed bill aimed at banning transgender athletes from women’s sports

Senate Democrats on Monday blocked a Republican-led bill that aimed to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports at federally funded schools and educational institutions.

The bill fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance, with a 51-45 party-line vote, underscoring the challenges Republicans face in pushing major legislation through a closely divided Congress, despite holding narrow control of both chambers.

The Senate vote comes amid a wave of legislation in GOP-led states targeting transgender rights, including efforts to restrict transgender students from joining sports teams that align with their gender identity. Issues surrounding transgender athletes have become a central focus in recent Republican campaigns, including the presidential race, as the party appeals to voters concerned about gender and sports policies.

A similar version of the bill passed the Republican-controlled House in January with a 218-206 vote. Two Democrats supported the measure, and one voted "present."

The legislation sought to amend federal law to define sex as based solely on reproductive biology and genetics at birth for the purposes of enforcing Title IX in athletics. Title IX is the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive government funding.

Republicans argue that transgender women have a competitive advantage over cisgender women, which they say could limit athletic opportunities for other female athletes. Democrats, meanwhile, contend that such restrictions add to the discrimination already faced by transgender people, particularly trans youth, and accuse Republicans of targeting LGBTQ rights through legislation like this.

With 53 seats in the Senate, Republicans would have needed support from at least seven Democrats to overcome a filibuster and move the bill forward.