[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 40 (Monday, March 3, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



          Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I rise today in strong opposition to 
any attempt by the Federal Government to meddle in decisions about who 
can and cannot participate in school sports.
  Simply put, it is not the Federal Government's place to tell State 
and local sports leagues across this country how to do their jobs. This 
is a decision for local communities, where players and parents can 
participate in that discussion at the local level.
  This is a decision for sports leagues to thoughtfully craft policy 
that actually takes seriously what is best for all players, not blanket 
mandates that will undoubtedly have unintended consequences for the 
safety of all students.
  I, for one, trust our States, our leagues, and our localities to make 
these decisions without interference from Congress or the President. 
For years, we have seen them do it thoughtfully and carefully. They 
have done what is best for the children, in consultation with parents, 
teachers, coaches, and community members. This is exactly how this type 
of policy should be created.
  But Republicans are now saying that they actually know better than 
these local sports leagues. The President is saying that he knows 
better than parents what is good for their children. President Donald 
Trump and my Republican colleagues have inserted themselves into this 
discussion, tying the hands of leagues that are actually focused on the 
best interest of our children. And as far as I can tell, it is just to 
score political points and stir the pot of the culture wars.
  I will close with this. Too often in this debate, it gets lost that 
we are talking about real people. It is clear that my Republican 
colleagues, when they casually dehumanize trans Americans in their 
attack ads, forget or simply do not care that they are talking about 
real people--often youth, often children--who already do not feel 
welcome in their communities.
  This legislation tries to send the message that certain kids are not 
welcome in Little League or on the basketball court, and, really, that 
they are not welcome in school at all, beside their peers--what a 
heartbreaking message to tell a child. No American, especially those 
who are already vulnerable, should be demonized and picked on so that 
politicians can win elections--period, full stop.
  At the end of the day, while Republicans are focused on playing 
politics with children's sports leagues, I am focused on issues that I 
hear about from my constituents every day. I am focused on lowering 
household costs and taking on the big corporations that are price-
gouging families at the grocery store and at the pharmacy.
  I am focused on growing our made-in-America economy and making sure 
that everyone has a fair chance to get a good-paying job. I am focused 
on ensuring that people can access high-quality healthcare and 
protecting Medicaid. I am focused on the people of Wisconsin and their 
needs, not stepping on their right to decide what is best in their own 
local communities.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.