Late on Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law H.B. 25, legislation which directs the state’s University Interscholastic League to adopt a rule prohibiting biological males from competing in girls’ athletics in public K-12 schools. The bill’s signing makes Texas the ninth state to enact a law protecting female athletes.
However, the law does not apply to college athletics and does not include a civil enforcement mechanism featured in other recently passed state bills, such as in Florida.
In response, Terry Schilling, president of American Principles Project (APP), released the following statement:
“Governor Abbott’s signing of H.B. 25 today is better than no action at all, and we must acknowledge Texas leaders for taking at least a minimal step toward protecting female athletes in their state.
“However, this step is hardly sufficient in accomplishing that goal. For example, this new law does not cover collegiate athletics, meaning women at that level are still at risk of losing titles and scholarships to biological males. The bill also does not give female athletes the right to take their cases to civil court, neglecting the most effective means of enforcement.
“Preserving a fair playing field for female athletes from elementary school to college should not be a controversial issue. Despite the media’s blatant leftist propaganda, the American people overwhelmingly agree that biological males should not be competing in girls’ sports. This is especially the case in Texas, where polling from APP last year found that three-quarters of voters oppose allowing boys to compete against girls.”
“Six states, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP leaders in perennial swing-state Florida, have managed to pass legislation which protects female athletes in college and which gives all girl athletes the ability to pursue damages in civil court. That Republicans in deeply conservative Texas were unable to do this raises serious questions about their priorities. Do Texas leaders care more about the interests of the woke NCAA and business industry than they do about their vulnerable constituents? Voters would be right to wonder.
“Fortunately, there is a straightforward solution: Gov. Abbott must call a new special legislative session to address the gaps identified above. APP joins with Texas families in urging the governor to take this step. And if he does not, he can be assured that we will let voters know across the state about his betrayal.”
