Washington-Senate Democrats unanimously voted to block a bill led by Republicans on Monday night that would prohibit schools financed by the federal government of allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.
In a vote of the 51-45 party line, the Democrats filibuse the protection of the women’s law in sports, presented by Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-ala. It fell from the 60 votes necessary to advance as the Democrats ruled out it as a distraction and a cynical political movement.
Four senators did not vote: Shelley Moore Capito, Rw.va.; Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.; Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.; and Peter Welch, D-Vt.
The result means that the legislation, which the Chamber approved in January and reflects an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, will not go further. But it is likely that the failed vote will become a issue of political conversation for Republicans in the next elections after they used the issue of transgender rights as Cudgel in the 2024 campaign.
“Sen. Tuberville is trying to produce social wars on something that really does not exist,” said Senator John Hickenlooper, D-Colo. He said after voting to block the bill. Hickenlooper has announced that it will apply for re -election in 2026 and, despite their vote, he said he does not believe that transgender women can compete in women’s sports if the other women oppose.
“I saw the ads,” said Hickenlooper about the elections in 2024, when Trump highlighted the problem. “I think that is the type of announcement that works once. I don’t think it’s working again. It is an infinitally small group of people who are really trying to find their forms. “
A New York Times/Ipsos survey conducted in January found a wide opposition to transgender athletes when asked the respondents if “transgender athletes, which means athletes who were men at birth but are currently identified as women,” they should be able to compete in women’s sports. In response, 79% of American adults said “they should not” allow themselves, while 18% said “they should be allowed.”
Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Who won his career last fall, even when Trump took Arizona at the presidential level, acknowledged that it is “a difficult problem for many people.”
But he said that Democrats who have an effective general message should not worry.
“Look, if you are running and you have no other identity and you are not known for fighting for people to have a decent life, buy a house, to be able to bring the American dream to their families, these external problems is what will tear you down,” Galician said. “I am not worried about that, because I communicate with my Arizonanos classmates every day I am fighting for them to make sure they can live the American dream regardless of what.”
Senator Gary Peters, a Mich. Democrat, who has announced that he is not running for re -election next year, said the Democrats must focus on the economy.
“This is not really a problem like Michigan,” said Peters, “I think there are hundreds of thousands of athletes, there are two people who are really in this situation.” People will realize that it has really been a problem that Republicans have trying to explode. “
When asked if he worries that such a vote could arise in future electoral cycles, Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., Who has broken with the Democrats on some issues, replied: “Look at my vote, and then you can extrapolate if I am worried about that, or not.”
Shortly after, Fetterman voted no.
Among the Republicans, transgender athletes in women’s sport is a cultural problem that unifies all wings of the party.
“I think this is a matter of justice, security and give young girls and women the opportunity to excel in sports,” said Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, who faces re-election next year. “And again, allow me to emphasize that I think we should treat all people with respect, but title IX is the law, it is not just a suggestion, and intended to open these opportunities to girls to excel in sports.”
Tuberville condemned the Democrats for blocking the bill.
“This is far from finishing,” he wrote in X. “I will never stop fighting to protect women and girls.”
