A4TE Statement on Failed US Senate Vote on Trans Sports Ban

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate majority failed to win the 60 votes necessary to advance S.9, a bill that would rewrite Title IX – the national law protecting students against sex discrimination – to ban transgender girls and women from participating in sports at federally funded schools and universities. The cloture motion required to close debate failed 51-45 along party lines, with Democrats holding strong in their support for transgender athletes. Caius Willingham, Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE) Policy Analyst released the following statement:

“This is a major victory in the fight to defend trans rights from extremism. Thanks to the overwhelming support of thousands of trans constituents and their allies who contacted their senators, the Senate firmly rejected the campaign to villainize and exclude trans women and girls from school sports.  We are not paralyzed by fear of what Trump’s agenda is doing to our nation; we are mobilizing, and we are taking action. We will make sure our voices are heard here on Capitol Hill, in the courts, at town halls, and in our streets. 

“S. 9 is discriminatory, ignores scientific research and does nothing to address real issues in women’s athletics, such as unequal access to funding and facilities, abuse by coaches, physicians, and other trusted adults, and the unconscionable gender pay gap in professional sports. In fact, this radical bill could have resulted in the widespread adoption of invasive inspections of young women and girls to determine who can play sports, putting all women and girls, particularly women and girls of color,  in harm’s way.

“We are grateful for the Senators who have stood up against the Project 2025 bullies in the name of fairness, safety, and respect for all student athletes.”

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