Senate Blocks Bill Banning Transgender Women in Sports

Legislation to bar transgender women and girls from school sports designated for females failed in the US Senate Monday night. The bill did not advance, lacking the 60 votes needed, with a party-line vote of 51-45. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, argued: "This is a matter of fairness and equality." Democrats, including Senators Brian Schatz and Tammy Baldwin, opposed the bill. Schatz criticized it, saying: "What Republicans are doing today is inventing a problem to stir up a culture war and divide people against each other." Baldwin said: "This is a decision for sports leagues to thoughtfully craft policy that actually takes seriously what is best for all players."

The bill had passed the House with limited Democratic support. President Trump previously signed an executive order influencing Title IX's gender interpretation, and the NCAA responded by changing rules for transgender athletes in women's sports. Similar debates are unfolding in states like Minnesota. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)