New Legislation on Women’s Sports Funding

Rep. Andy Barr from Kentucky, a Republican, has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at mandating schools and universities to “ensure biological equity” in women’s sports as a prerequisite for receiving federal funding.

The proposed legislation, known as “The Defend Girls Athletics Act,” seeks to align primary and secondary schools, as well as higher education institutions, with an executive order from former President Donald Trump. This order, issued on February 5, introduced a nationwide ban on biological men competing in women’s sports. The law stipulates that local educational agencies must verify their compliance with these executive orders on an annual basis.

Should an educational institution fail to comply or submit required reports, the Department of Education (DOE) could withhold funding. Institutions of higher education, which include student loan programs, would need to provide their accreditation annually by July 1 to maintain their eligibility for federal funds. If the legislation passes, agencies that remain non-compliant could lose funding until they adhere to the required mandates.

“Biological boys should not be competing in women’s sports,” Barr stated. “As a father of two daughters involved in sports, I feel a strong obligation to protect them. President Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon have led efforts to safeguard young women’s sports, supported by activists and athletes like Riley Gaines. Schools need to take action or risk compromising opportunities for female athletes.”

The bill is also backed by 49 other lawmakers, including House Republican Speaker Lisa McClain, Rep. Byron Donald from Florida, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Rep. Andy Biggs from Arizona.

McClain expressed her support, stating, “Women athletes, whether in Michigan or anywhere else in the country, deserve a fair playing field. Their hard work deserves recognition. This initiative is about fairness and ensuring future generations of women have the same opportunities we did. We’re proud to support this legislation to uphold President Trump’s executive orders and protect the integrity of women’s sports, building on the progress made since Title IX.”

Riley Gaines, a former university swimmer and advocate for women’s rights, also endorsed the bill. “Enough is enough,” she remarked. “Forcing women to compete against men compromises our rights, safety, and dignity. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we see that there are those willing to advocate for women.”

Some liberal states, however, are resisting and challenging these orders legally, complicating the enforcement surrounding funding freezes. For instance, the DOE cut all K-12 funding in Maine this past April, while the USDA has halted nutrition program funds due to violations of federal mandates. Yet, there is an ongoing legal dispute regarding this funding freeze.

The DOJ filed a lawsuit against California’s education department after it failed to comply with directives requiring the separation of men’s and women’s sports. Minnesota’s Attorney General also filed a lawsuit earlier this year concerning similar issues regarding state funding for male competitors in women’s arenas.

This January, the House passed a bill aimed at “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports,” which seeks to revise Title IX to bar men from competing against female athletes. Interestingly, two Democratic representatives from Texas voted in favor of the bill.

There have been documented instances of injuries among female athletes competing against men. An example includes North Carolina volleyball player Payton McNabb, who suffered serious injuries due to a collision with a male player identifying as a woman. Similarly, a basketball game at a Massachusetts school was abruptly halted after three female athletes were injured during a matchup against a male player.

Even in recreational sports, studies have indicated that male athletes produce more power than their female counterparts, which poses safety risks. Reports suggest that over 600 female athletes lost more than 890 medals in competitions due to competing against male participants.