Senator Joni Ernst spoke Wednesday on the floor of the U.S. Senate in support of The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Ernst is a cosponsor of the bill, which passed the House last week.
Ernst noted Iowa has a “celebrated history” of exceptional girls’ sports programs, noting the University of Iowa women’s basketball team’s recent trip to the national title game.
She also mentioned the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union’s recent sanctioning of girls’ wrestling.
“Title IX not only makes these events possible, it guarantees an opportunity for our female athletes,” Ernst said. “Whether it’s growing as a leader, winning a championship or securing a scholarship to college, sports open doors for young girls.”
Ernst said President Joe Biden is “working overtime” to force institutions to let males share spaces with females and compete in girls’ sports.
“Girls’ locker rooms have now become a battleground for the Democratic Party,” Ernst said. “And parents continue to be iced out of this issue.”
The legislation dictates any program receiving federal funds and permitting men to participate in competitions designated for women would be in violation of federal law.
“Man, you might feel like a woman, but you aren’t one,” Ernst said. “We must protect our young girls and make sure they aren’t pushed off the podium. Title IX is the law of the land, whether the far left likes it or not. The law was created to offer the same playing field to female athletes as their male counterparts — not to subject women to second place and the sidelines.”
