WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act to prohibit any governing body recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) from allowing men to participate in any athletic event intended for females. The bill modifies eligibility requirements for amateur sports governing organizations.
“It is deeply disturbing to see USA Boxing change its policy to allow men to box against women,” said Coach Tuberville. “Men should not be competing in women’s sports at any level—and especially not in a sport like boxing. Whether in little league or the Olympics, it’s unsafe, it’s unfair, and it’s just plain wrong. This bill will ensure that the Olympics are fair to American women who train their whole lives to represent our country on the world stage.”
U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the House.
“Congress should not have to take legislative action to prevent biological men from hitting women for championship titles. Due to the illogical USA Boxing transgender policy, I introduced legislation to prevent organizations who choose to live in delusion from being recognized by the U.S. Olympic committee,” said Rep. Steube. “We must combat the erasure of women’s sports by standing for truth, reality, safety, and fairness.”
The legislation is supported by: Alliance Defending Freedom, American Principles Project, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Heritage Action, Independent Council on Women’s Sport (ICONS), Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), International Consortium on Female Sport (ICFS), Women’s Declaration International USA, and Women’s Liberation Front.
“As an athlete who has experienced the injustice of competing against a male firsthand, I’m grateful for the leadership of Representative Steube and Senator Tuberville. They have made it clear that they 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 Ambassador.
BACKGROUND:
USA Boxing updated their National Rule Book to add a Transgender definition and link to a new Transgender Policy, effective on January 1, 2024. The policy states: “a boxer who transitions from male to female is eligible to compete in the female category” with certain conditions.
Under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, Congress chartered the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and allowed the organization to recognize governing bodies for individual sports. USA Boxing has been recognized by the USOC as the official governing body for boxing. The Act sets out a variety of requirements that must be followed by these individual governing bodies in order to be certified by USOC.
Fighting for Women’s Sports
As a former educator, mentor, and coach for more than 40 years, Senator Tuberville is concerned about the future of girls’ and women’s sports. He began his career coaching high school girls’ basketball shortly after the enactment of Title IX, and witnessed the law’s positive impacts firsthand. Senator Tuberville has been a vocal advocate of preserving Title IX and urged Joe Biden’s Department of Education officials to keep the protections in place.
In March 2023, Senator Tuberville led 26 Republican colleagues in reintroducing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 to preserve Title IX protections for female athletes and ensure fair, safe competition in women’s sports across the country. Coach’s bill passed the House in April 2023.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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