Hinds Today

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi has criticized the Democratic Party for blocking legislation aimed at safeguarding Title IX protections for women and girls in sports. Despite a Democrat-led filibuster, Hyde-Smith remains committed to advancing the bill.

Alongside Senators James Lankford from Oklahoma and Pete Ricketts from Nebraska, Hyde-Smith delivered speeches focusing on Title IX and the stalled Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (S.9). On Monday, Senate Democrats unanimously opposed bringing the bill forward for consideration.

Hyde-Smith expressed her views on the matter: “I find it ironic that the party that wore pink to protest President Trump’s address last night – claiming his policies harm women – is the same party where not one member voted to protect women in sports this week. If it were not so serious, it would almost be laughable.”

She further emphasized that this issue transcends partisanship, describing it as "a matter of common sense and fairness" related to equal opportunities. She reiterated her stance against the Biden administration's interpretation of Title IX, which she argues undermines protections meant for women and girls by allowing biological males to compete in women's sports.

“After watching the Biden administration claw away at the integrity of Title IX for four years, I am proud to stand with my colleagues and President Trump in fighting to restore the protections that Title IX was always meant to provide to girls and women in sports," said Hyde-Smith. She highlighted public opinion on maintaining gender distinctions in athletics: “Despite the attempts of our colleagues across the aisle to defend their war on Title IX, the American people overwhelmingly agree on a fundamental point: biologically male athletes should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports or use women’s locker rooms.”

Hyde-Smith called for legislative action: “We must pass legislation that protects female athletes and preserves the integrity of women’s sports." The proposed Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act was introduced by Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama. It aims to define gender based solely on reproductive biology at birth within Title IX provisions and restricts federal funding recipients from facilitating athletic programs allowing males in women's events.