During the week of the anniversary of Title IX, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)joined Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) in support of athletes Riley Gaines, Paula Scanlan, and Payton McNabb, who are sounding the alarm on the Biden administration’s effort to force women to compete against biological men in sports, robbing female athletes of dignity, privacy, and critical scholarships and titles.
To celebrate the achievements of female athletes – past, present, and future – Ernst and Tenney are leading a bicameral resolution to declare the week of June 23 as “National Women’s Sports Week” and to recognize the role Title IX has played in expanding athletic opportunities for women and girls.
“We cannot and will not allow our daughters to be erased,” said Senator Ernst. “Doors that were opened over 50 years ago are being slammed in the faces of girls across the country because of the progressive left’s radical gender ideology. I’m proud to work with Rep. Tenney to recognize the achievements of female athletes during National Women’s Sports Week and will continue standing arm in arm with Riley Gaines, Paula Scanlan, Payton McNabb, and countless others in their fight to safeguard life-changing opportunities for women and girls.”
“At a time when women’s sports are under attack, we must celebrate the remarkable progress we have made since the passage of Title IX and stand united to protect the future ability of women and girls to compete fairly in sports,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I am honored to join Senator Joni Ernst in introducing a bicameral resolution that supports the designation of an official ‘National Women’s Sports Week.’ As we celebrate this week, we reaffirm the importance of protecting Title IX and recognize the countless benefits that come from women’s active participation in sports. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and join us in celebrating National Women’s Sports Week. Together, we can continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of female athletes, ensuring a bright future for women’s sports across our great nation.”
“Title IX has led to a massive increase in participation in sports by women and girls across every level of competition. Yet President Biden wants to gut Title IX by using it to force female athletes to compete against men. This not only threatens the physical safety and mental health of women and girls, but it also diminishes their opportunities to earn scholarships, win championships, set records, and simply compete. Senator Ernst should be commended for her work to honor the achievements of female athletes and recognize the importance of protecting women’s sports,” said Jessica Anderson, Executive Director of Heritage Action.
“For over 50 years, Title IX has protected equal athletic opportunities for women. Sadly, the Biden administration is threatening those opportunities by pretending that men do not have a significant advantage over women when it comes to athletics. As we continue to witness increasing incidents nationwide of males dominating girls’ athletic competitions, it is imperative to affirm that biology, not identity, is what matters in athletics. We commend Sen. Ernst for introducing this resolution celebrating female athletes and acknowledging the harm to women and girls that comes with forcing them to compete against males,” said Christiana Kiefer, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom.
“Independent Women’s Forum conceived of National Women’s Sports Week because we see how the importance of female athletics is being denigrated in our culture. During a recent Senate Judiciary hearing, Senator Durbin scoffed at the idea that anyone should be concerned that something as trivial as “women’s field hockey” would be sacrificed. He may not think so, but we know that female athletes matter. That opportunities for women to strive and succeed matter. We know that women’s sports are worth fighting to preserve. Thank you Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Claudia Tenney for being such leaders in standing up on behalf of the women and girls competing today, and future generations of female athletes,” said Carrie Lukas, Independent Women’s Forum President.
“For years, Concerned Women for America has been standing strong for female athletes being cheated of their titles and their dignity by institutions responsible for protecting their rights,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee. “After fifty years of progress under Title IX, our daughters are facing discrimination in their own sports and being sexually harassed in their locker rooms by policies allowing trans-identifying males in women’s sports. CWALAC applauds Sen. Joni Ernst for sponsoring this resolution designating ‘National Women’s Sports Week’ on the anniversary of Title IX to celebrate the achievements of female athletes and to support policies protecting women’s sports for women only.”
“The U.S. chapter of Women’s Declaration International is happy to support this important resolution, which is consistent with Article 7 of the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights on reaffirming women’s rights to the same opportunities as men to participate actively in sports and physical education. Women are adult female human beings and we have the right to be acknowledged as such under federal law and in athletics throughout the country. Title IX was enacted to advance opportunities for women and girls, not for men and boys who claim to be women and girls. We look forward to seeing this important resolution enacted into law,” said Kara Dansky, Women’s Declaration International USA President.
