Benton Times

Today, Congressman Steve Womack of Arkansas cast his vote in favor of H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025. The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives, aims to restrict participation in female-designated school athletic programs to individuals whose biological sex at birth was female.

Congressman Womack expressed his commitment to supporting female athletes: “Standing up for female athletes is very important to me. I grew up with four sisters—one of whom became an All-American—coached female teams and have been a follower of women’s sports my entire life. I’m also proud to represent a district that’s rich in history of competitive female sports. It’s incomprehensible that we’re even having this conversation. There’s no disputing the fact that in most sports, biological males have a distinct, undeniable advantage over females. To deprive a female athlete of her hard-earned roster spot in the name of political correctness is backward and wrong.”

Title IX is designed to prevent sex-based discrimination in educational programs or activities receiving federal funding and seeks to provide equal opportunities for women and girls. Last year, the Biden Administration introduced a rule amending Title IX that would remove states' abilities to protect women and girls from discrimination comprehensively within athletics; however, this rule was struck down by a federal judge last week.

The new legislation ensures future administrations or judges cannot enforce policies seen as detrimental to women's sports competitions across America. Currently, 26 states have enacted measures aimed at safeguarding equal athletic opportunities for women and girls.

H.R. 28 specifies that entities receiving federal education funds will violate Title IX if they allow individuals whose sex is male to participate in programs designated for females based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth.