SCOTUS Landmark Decision Present Opportunity to Protect Female Athletes in PA

By Senator Kristin Phillips Hill and Representative Joe D’Orsie

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed Title IX and the efforts of 27 states to protect girl athletes from competing against biological men. The majority opinion noted that under the equal protection clause of the Constitution “schools may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex.” This is a huge win for female athletes across our United States and an important step toward reinstating fairness and logic. But in Pennsylvania, as Governor Shapiro and House Democrats continue to obstruct legislation approved with bipartisan support in the state Senate to ensure fairness for our girls, we haven’t crossed the finish line.

We know better than to hold our breath hoping that House Democrat leadership will come to their senses, heed the high court’s ruling, or consider overwhelming public sentiment.

Since 2021, House and Senate Republicans have offered straightforward legislation to right this wrong. In 2022, House Bill 972 passed both chambers with bipartisan support, only to be vetoed by Democrat Governor Tom Wolf. Senate Bill 9, introduced and passed this session with five Senate Democrats and all Republicans in support, has been dodged and delayed in the House. The same is true about House Bill 1849 (Dad’s Defending Daughter’s Act), and House Bill 158. With nearly 80 percent of Americans supporting preserving girls’ sports, it’s a tremendous insult to Pennsylvania’s constituency to continue to trivialize the safety of our female athletes.

Read the entire article HERE: D’Orsie + Phillips-Hill: SCOTUS Landmark Decision Presents an Opportunity to Protect Female Athletes in PA