Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

Fifty years ago, Title IX revolutionized women's sports and opened doors that had been closed for all previous generations. Because of Title IX, women's participation in athletics skyrocketed by over 1,000 percent in high schools and 600 percent in college athletics.

This progress of equal opportunity for millions of girls and women for scholarships, honors, careers, and wealth has been under attack for the entirety of the Biden administration.

By ignoring the biological, physical, and genetic differences between men and women, this administration has dismantled the level playing field that women and girls deserve.

This is about fairness, safety, and opportunity. When viewed through the eyes of common sense, it is obvious. When seen through the results of lost opportunities, it becomes clear that something valuable has been stolen.

When men are allowed to compete in women's sports, not only are women no longer safe but they also lose scholarships, championships, and opportunities to build self-esteem that lasts a lifetime. Young men also lose when they embrace this ideology of unfairness and call it admirable. It is called loss of shame.

I have 5 daughters and 12 granddaughters. I have stood on the sidelines and watched them pour their hearts and souls into the sports they love. I have seen their grit, determination, and pride as they worked hard, hoping to be victorious. Even when they are not, these moments of competing add to the lifelong building blocks of character.

What message are we sending to our girls when we tell them their hard work doesn't matter? What is our message as we cowardly stand by as boys and men steal their opportunities, dominate their sports, and erase their records?

This debate isn't about sports. It is about what kind of country we are going to be. Do we remain a Nation that stands with fairness, celebrates achievement, and defends the rights of our girls and women, or do we devolve into a country that bows to radical ideologies at their expense?

An overwhelming majority of Americans have boldly spoken on the vision of our society. We see it as one in which we continue to teach our young men respect.

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Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, the only respect they earn is the respect to defend and honor womanhood.

Our daughters and women are watching. The message to men standing quietly on the sidelines of this issue is: It is time to man up. These are girls and women in our lives who depend on us to stand and fight for what is right. Now is the time to protect them from men who want to infringe on their space and their sports.

To my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, please join us as we support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

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