By Doreen Denny, Vice President of Government Relations
As Education Nominee Denies the Injustice Faced by Female Athletes, “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” Gains Support on Capitol Hill
This week the U.S. Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions heard testimony from President Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. Cardona has served as the Connecticut Commissioner of Education, the state where female high school athletes are being forced to compete against biological boys identifying as girls.
During the hearing, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) repeatedly questioned Cardona on his views about the injustice of allowing biological males to compete against female athletes in girls’ sports. In a telling exchange, Cardona refused to acknowledge the violation of fairness and equity being denied female student-athletes in policies that allow students to participate according to their “gender identity,” not their biological sex – as President Biden mandated by Executive Order on his first day in office.
Cardona’s refusal to recognize the primary responsibility of a Secretary of Education to enforce Title IX, a civil rights law that requires equality of opportunity in education programs and activities on the basis of sex, should be a disqualifying factor. With encouragement from Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC), five Republican Senators on the committee voted against advancing Cardona’s nomination: Rand Paul (Kentucky), Mike Braun (Indiana), Tim Scott (South Carolina), Roger Marshall (Kansas), and Tommy Tuberville (Alabama). They deserve to be commended for their position. Other Senators should be encouraged to follow their lead in opposing Cardona’s confirmation when it is considered by the entire Senate.
Seeing these threats to Title IX and female athletes, federal legislation to protect fairness under the law in women’s sports is gaining support in Congress. The “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” has been introduced in the House by Congressman Greg Steube (R-Florida) and in the Senate by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). To date, they have been joined by over 30 cosponsors. This important legislation would clarify for schools receiving federal funds that it would be in violation of Title IX for biological males to participate in sports designated for women or girls.
Joining advocates in support of Senate introduction, Doreen Denny, Vice President of Government Relations for CWALAC, had this to say:
“Protecting fairness and equality for women and girls in sports should not be a partisan issue. It should be a cause that unites all lawmakers to stand for women’s rights and the intent and purpose of Title IX for female student-athletes. Concerned Women for America LAC is grateful for Sen. Mike Lee and cosponsors of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act for being the true champions of Title IX and female athletes in today’s gender-crazed world.”
CWALAC sent a letter of endorsement to the bills’ sponsors, applauding them for standing with us in support of female athletes and upholding women’s equality of opportunity under federal law. It is time to encourage all members of Congress to take action and cosponsor the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
Please visit CWA’s Standing with Female Athletes page to learn more!