GOP's trans athlete bans in girls sports 'mystify' transgender Congress member.

Sarah McBride, a transgender congresswoman, criticized Republicans for prioritizing the exclusion of transgender athletes from female sports.

In Delaware, where McBride was elected to represent the at-large district, there are no laws prohibiting trans athletes from participating in sports that do not correspond with their gender assigned at birth.

Recently, I spoke with colleagues about the bills coming before us and heard from some who, like me, are puzzled that this is a priority for a Republican conference entering a Republican trifecta, as it is an issue they prioritize.

"It is incomprehensible, except that it is evidently a component of a strategy of deception and diversion in politics."

Earlier this week, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., reintroduced a bill to prohibit biological males from participating in women's and girls sports in the Republican-led Senate. It is expected to be voted on by the floor.

The Alabama Republican has long advocated for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which he first introduced in 2023.

Title IX would continue to view gender solely based on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth, rather than adjusting it to accommodate gender identity.

Limitations on trans athletes participating in sports that align with their gender identity exist in twenty-eight states.

There has been a dispute on Capitol Hill regarding McBride's usage of women's restrooms since his election.

Tuberville's bill prohibits federal funds from supporting athletic programs that permit biological males to compete in women's and girls' sports.

President-elect Trump has stated that he intends to prohibit transgender athletes who were born male from competing in girls' and women's sports.

President Biden recently dropped potential protections for transgender athletes.

Tuberville, a former college football coach, stated in a Planet Chronicle Digital interview that President Trump won the election by running on the issue of protecting women's sports. Seventy percent of Americans agree that men should not participate in women's sports or use their locker rooms, according to Tuberville. He has previously expressed his support for Title IX, but believes it has been damaged in recent years.

"I am glad that the Biden administration rescinded the proposed rule, but Congress must ensure that this never happens again. I am welcoming my first granddaughter this spring and will not stop fighting until her rights to fairly compete are protected. I hope all my colleagues will join me in standing up for our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters by voting for this critical bill."

Planet Chronicle' Julia Johnson contributed to this report.

Subscribe to the Planet Chronicle Sports Huddle newsletter and follow our sports coverage on X.