Protecting Family Values
I believe my values are shared with most Mississippians. As a Southern Baptist, I am a strong supporter of Christian family values. I do not support gay marriage and believe in the traditional definition of marriage.
Wicker Comments on Passing of Dick Hall
November 2, 2022
JACKSON, Miss. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement upon learning of the death of former Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.
“By the time Dick Hall and I became freshman state senators together, he had already led a distinguished career in public service. As a state legislator and later as a Commissioner of Transportation, Dick was a true champion for Mississippi. He worked tirelessly to advance job creation and build the infrastructure that our state needs. I am glad to count him as a friend, and Gayle and I send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Jennifer, and his loved ones.
Wicker Encourages Mississippians to Vote
In America, Government Rules by the Consent of the People
October 31, 2022
On September 18, 1787, Benjamin Franklin stepped out of Independence Hall in Philadelphia after meeting with the Continental Congress, which was drafting the new Constitution. A curious woman standing nearby asked him what kind of government we would have. Dr. Franklin replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” From the very founding of our nation, our government has ruled by the consent of the people. Voting is therefore an important duty of every American.
On November 8, millions of Americans will carry on this time-honored tradition and cast their ballots in the midterm elections. Although there is no presidential race this year, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be on the ballot, along with one-third of the U.S. Senate and a wide range of state and local offices. These races will significantly shape the direction of our state and our nation.
Government Of, By, and For the People
When our founding fathers broke away from Britain in 1776, they sincerely believed that they were establishing a “new order of the age.” After all, this was the first time in history that any nation had formed a new government based on the will of the people. Their vision was bold and audacious, and they understood it would make them targets of the British crown. Yet they believed so firmly in freedom that they pledged to each other “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor,” and then signed their names in ink for the world to see. In the years that followed, thousands of Americans would give their lives in the War for Independence. Because of their sacrifice, our nation was victorious and secured the right to be an independent republic.
Since then, our way of life has come under attack repeatedly, showing that freedom is fragile. In 1812, some 30 years after the revolution, the British invaded and tried to retake U.S. territory. In 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing our nation into World War II – a vast conflict between the free world and hostile tyrannies. Soon afterward, we entered a 50-year Cold War against Soviet-led communism, which aimed to crush freedom around the world. Most recently, terrorists attacked our nation on 9/11, leading to the War on Terror. In each conflict, American service members courageously put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe and protect the freedoms we cherish.
The Founders' Prediction Comes True
In the time since our nation’s founding, much of the world has followed our lead in holding free and fair elections. Today there are an estimated two billion voters across 50 countries and six continents. India has become the world’s largest democracy, with over 800 million eligible voters. The founders turned out to be right when they predicted that self-government would be the “new order of the age.” We are profoundly fortunate to live in the world’s oldest, freest, and most prosperous republic.
Keep Our Republic on November 8
Benjamin Franklin’s challenge to “keep” our republic is just as relevant today as it was 235 years ago. Today our nation faces rampant inflation, a shaky economy, rising crime, an open southern border, and growing threats from China and Russia. November 8 is our golden opportunity to weigh in on these and other vital issues. I encourage every eligible Mississippian to show up at the polls and vote.
On November 8, millions of Americans will carry on this time-honored tradition and cast their ballots in the midterm elections. Although there is no presidential race this year, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be on the ballot, along with one-third of the U.S. Senate and a wide range of state and local offices. These races will significantly shape the direction of our state and our nation.
Government Of, By, and For the People
When our founding fathers broke away from Britain in 1776, they sincerely believed that they were establishing a “new order of the age.” After all, this was the first time in history that any nation had formed a new government based on the will of the people. Their vision was bold and audacious, and they understood it would make them targets of the British crown. Yet they believed so firmly in freedom that they pledged to each other “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor,” and then signed their names in ink for the world to see. In the years that followed, thousands of Americans would give their lives in the War for Independence. Because of their sacrifice, our nation was victorious and secured the right to be an independent republic.
Since then, our way of life has come under attack repeatedly, showing that freedom is fragile. In 1812, some 30 years after the revolution, the British invaded and tried to retake U.S. territory. In 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing our nation into World War II – a vast conflict between the free world and hostile tyrannies. Soon afterward, we entered a 50-year Cold War against Soviet-led communism, which aimed to crush freedom around the world. Most recently, terrorists attacked our nation on 9/11, leading to the War on Terror. In each conflict, American service members courageously put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe and protect the freedoms we cherish.
The Founders' Prediction Comes True
In the time since our nation’s founding, much of the world has followed our lead in holding free and fair elections. Today there are an estimated two billion voters across 50 countries and six continents. India has become the world’s largest democracy, with over 800 million eligible voters. The founders turned out to be right when they predicted that self-government would be the “new order of the age.” We are profoundly fortunate to live in the world’s oldest, freest, and most prosperous republic.
Keep Our Republic on November 8
Benjamin Franklin’s challenge to “keep” our republic is just as relevant today as it was 235 years ago. Today our nation faces rampant inflation, a shaky economy, rising crime, an open southern border, and growing threats from China and Russia. November 8 is our golden opportunity to weigh in on these and other vital issues. I encourage every eligible Mississippian to show up at the polls and vote.
Wicker, Hyde-Smith Report $4.5 Million in COPS Grants for Miss.
October 19, 2022
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today reported the award of $4.5 million to Mississippi through the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program.
Seven school districts in Mississippi will share $3.0 million in School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) grant funding, while another district will share part of $1.0 million awarded through the COPS Hiring program. Another $468,367 in Community Policing Development (CPD) Program funds will also be directed to Mississippi.
“These federal grants will help districts across Mississippi improve security and coordination with law enforcement,” Wicker said. “I look forward to seeing these funds enacted and a safer future for our state’s students.”
“Rising crime rates across the country affect everyone whether in urban, suburban, or rural areas. As a result, local law enforcement, including those assigned to protect schools, face unrelenting pressures. These COPS grants are intended to help ease those burdens and promote safer communities,” Hyde-Smith said.
School districts may use SVPP grants for, among other things, coordination with local law enforcement; security enhancements, emergency preparedness and technology upgrades, and/or other actions to improve security in schools and school grounds. SVPP funds totaling $3,014,865 for Mississippi include:
- Chickasaw County School District – $498,744
- Lauderdale County School District – $498,744
- Union County School District – $495,753
- Hollandale School District – $468,750
- Yazoo County School District – $366,618
- Leland School District – $346,500
- Newton City Schools – $339,756
COPS Hiring Program is a competitive grant program that provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers and deputies to enhance community policing and crime prevention. COPS Hiring Program grants worth $1,017,469 are awarded to:
- City of Natchez – $768,319
- Holmes County Consolidated School District – $125,000
- City of Picayune – $124,150
CPD grants, used to support creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities, have been awarded to:
- City of Jackson – $174,000
- University of Mississippi Medical Center – $160,000
- Forrest County – $74,999
- Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, Ridgeland – $58,000
Wicker, Hyde-Smith Move to Make Distribution of Deadly Fentanyl Chargeable as Felony Murder
Miss. Senators Cosponsor Bill to Toughen Punishment for Knowingly Dealing Lethal Opiate
September 16, 2022
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., on Thursday joined U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in introducing legislation to make the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death chargeable as a felony murder.
In instances of deaths resulting from illegal fentanyl-related opiates, the Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act (S.4876) would amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to make it a felony to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs if the dealer has knowledge or reason to know that the substance they are dealing contains fentanyl or a fentanyl-analog.
“The lethal drug fentanyl is destroying lives across the country, and dealers who put it on our streets should be held responsible,” Wicker said. “This bill would send a strong signal that the federal government will not tolerate this deadly drug which is tearing apart communities, or those who distribute it.”
“The Biden administration has failed to enforce multiple policies to stop fentanyl from coming across the border, even though it is now the leading cause of death for adults aged 18 to 45,” Hyde-Smith said. “This legislation is desperately needed to protect our communities by ensuring harsher consequences to those who knowingly distribute this deadly drug in Mississippi and across the country.”
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, authorities seized enough fentanyl in July — 2,071 pounds — to kill 469 million Americans. That is up from 680 pounds seized in June as the issue continues to hit close to home for far too many Americans, whether or not they live in a border-state.
Under current law, the CSA treats all Schedule I and Schedule II drugs the same for purposes of distribution resulting in death by mandating a 20-year minimum and no more than life, despite varying degrees of lethality, availability, and medicinal purposes.
A March 2022 Mississippi State Department of Health report shows a sharp escalation of overall deaths in Mississippi involving fentanyl, including a 125 percent increase in overdose fatalities due to synthetic opioids from 2019 to 2020.
Additional S.4876 cosponsors include Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).
Click here to read the text of S.4876, which has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Wicker, Colleagues Protect American Retirement From Woke Politics
Miss. Senator Co-Sponsors “Maximize Americans’ Retirement Security Act”
July 27, 2022
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., joined his Republican colleagues in introducing legislation to strengthen Americans’ retirement funds. Led by Senator Mike Braun, R-Ind., the Maximize Americans’ Retirement Security Act would clarify the fiduciary duty of plan administrators to select and maintain investments based solely on financial factors.
Recently, the Department of Labor proposed a rule that would allow plan administrators to invest in so-called “environmental, social and governance” (ESG) funds by considering factors not tied to their return on investment. A number of studies have shown that ESG investing policies offer worse return rates in comparison to other investment plans, while ESG investors also generally end up paying higher costs for worse performances.
“Most Americans trust their retirement plan administrators to look out for them and maximize their return on investments, but recent moves by the Biden Administration threaten to upend this longstanding system in favor of “woke” activism,” Wicker said. “Retirement accounts should be off-limits to the President’s politics.”
“At a time when energy costs are soaring and Hoosiers are grappling with record high inflation, Democrats are politicizing American retirement funds and targeting companies that invest in energy sources that could help alleviate these soaring costs. The Biden Administration should not be sacrificing the retirement savings of thousands of individuals to promote liberal policy objectives,” Braun said.
This legislation would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to require plan fiduciaries to select investments solely on pecuniary factors. It has been endorsed by Americans for Tax Reform, Institute for the American Worker, Foundation for Government Accountability, and FreedomWorks.
In addition to Wicker and Braun, co-sponsors include Senators Richard Burr, R-N.C., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
Wicker, Hyde-Smith Back Standing With Moms Act
Miss. Senators Call for Pro-Life Resources for Expecting, New Mothers
July 15, 2022
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., joined a measure to create a federal clearinghouse of pro-life resources, services, and information for expecting and new mothers. The Standing with Moms Act would create life.gov, a government-operated website for this purpose. The bill was led by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
“It should be easy for mothers to access the plentiful resources that are available to support them and their children,” Wicker said. “Creating a new national clearinghouse for information that can lend parents a helping hand is a straightforward way to advance the cause of life.”
“Expecting and new mothers deserve every ounce of support they can get, and it’s important they know what federal, state, local, and nonprofit resources are available to them,” Hyde-Smith said. “This bill would achieve that by creating an accessible, one-stop-shop of resources for women who need assistance with anything from prenatal healthcare to infant nutrition, housing, or adoption options.”
“Pregnant and newly parenting mothers should not be left in the dark, nor should they be pushed toward abortion,” Rubio said. “Instead, they should have easy access to the resources they need to look after their babies. This bill would help make that a reality.”
Wicker and Hyde-Smith were joined by Senators Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., John Thune, R-S.D., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Deb Fischer, R-Neb., as original cosponsors. U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced a companion bill (HR.8384) in the House.
In addition, Wicker and Hyde-Smith joined a bill led by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, designating June as the “Month of Life,” in commemoration of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling that overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion case.
Read more about the Standing with Moms Act (S.4541) here.
Read the Month of Life Celebration Act (S.4539) here.
Wicker, Hyde-Smith Back Bill to Stop Efforts to Use Federal Property For Abortion
July 14, 2022
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today cosponsored legislation to prohibit the Biden administration, or any future pro-abortion administration, from using federal lands and facilities for abortions.
The Mississippi Senators are original cosponsors of the Prohibiting Abortion on Federal Lands Act, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
“The Dobbs decision rightly returned the issue of abortion to the people and their elected representatives, but far-left activists are now working overtime to subvert the will of pro-life voters in states like Mississippi,” Wicker said. “This important legislation would help protect life and ensure that federal lands are not used to facilitate the abortion business.”
“The point of the Dobbs decision is to allow states to set policies regarding ending a pregnancy. The pro-abortion forces are in a desperate scramble to ensure abortion on demand until birth,” Hyde-Smith said. “The plan to use federal lands and property for abortions is just one effort to circumvent the Supreme Court decision and the spirit of the Hyde Amendment. As such, Senator Rubio’s bill to stop the federal government from promoting abortions using federal holdings has my full support.”
“Democrats will stop at nothing to preserve the practice of murdering unborn Americans,” Rubio said. “I will do everything I can to protect life and block President Biden from grossly abusing his presidential power.”
S.4519 would prohibit the federal government from promoting, supporting, or contracting with abortion entities, or otherwise expanding access to abortion on federal lands or facilities including but not limited to military installations, national parks, courthouses, federal buildings, etc.
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Democrats and pro-abortion interests have been mounting pressure on President Biden to undermine pro-life states by opening up federal property to operate “abortion safe havens.”
Additional cosponsors include U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Steve Daines, R-Mont., John Thune, R-S.D., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho.
Miss. Delegation Members Offer Resolution Celebrating Ole Miss Baseball’s National Championship
July 12, 2022
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and U.S. Representatives Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today announced a resolution celebrating the University of Mississippi’s baseball team for their victory in the Division I college baseball championship. Wicker, Hyde-Smith, and Shaheen, who is an Ole Miss graduate, introduced the resolution in the Senate on Tuesday. Kelly and Guest will introduce a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.
Citing the University of Mississippi’s “magical” run through the playoffs to secure the school’s first baseball championship, the resolution recognizes both the individual efforts of several players as well as the combined team effort that led the school to victory.
The University of Mississippi finished its season with a 4-2 win over the University of Oklahoma in the final game of the college championship. Along the way, the team posted a 10-1 record in the postseason, and 22-year head coach of the team Mike Bianco was awarded the National Coach of the Year award by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
The University of Mississippi baseball team’s win brought back-to-back Men’s College World Series wins to the State of Mississippi after Mississippi State University won the national championship last year.
Read the full resolution here or below.
Congratulating the University of Mississippi Rebels baseball team for winning the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball championship.
Whereas, on Sunday, June 26, 2022, the University of Mississippi baseball team won the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the ‘NCAA’’) Men’s College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska;
Whereas, by defeating the University of Oklahoma by a score of 4 to 2, the University of Mississippi baseball team became the first team in school history to win the NCAA Division I baseball championship;
Whereas the University of Mississippi baseball team lost only 1 game throughout the entirety of the 2022 NCAA-Division I Baseball Tournament Men’s College World Series, finishing the postseason with a record of 10–1;
Whereas the Rebels completed a magical run through the postseason, finishing on top after being among the last teams included in the field of 64 for the NCAA tournament;
Whereas, on June 26, 2022, University of Mississippi pitcher Dylan DeLucia received the Jack Diesing, Sr., Most Outstanding Player of the Series Award for pitching a complete-game shutout against the Arkansas Razorbacks, becoming the first recipient of the award in school history;
Whereas infielders Tim Elko, Justin Bench and Calvin Harris, outfielder Kevin Graham, designated hitter Kemp Alderman, and pitcher Dylan DeLucia were named to the 2022 NCAA Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team;
Whereas Head Coach Mike Bianco, having coached the University of Mississippi baseball team for 22 seasons, including 18 postseason appearances, led the team to a 42–23 record and the 2022 NCAA National Championship victory;
Whereas Head Coach Bianco was named National Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the American Baseball Coaches Association;
Whereas the University of Mississippi baseball team hit back to-back-to-back home runs and 16 hits in Game 1 of the 2022 NCAA National Championship, the first team to do so since 1998;
Whereas Tim Elko became only the sixth player in history to have 4 hits in a Men’s College World Series final and recorded 46 career home runs, the second-most in school history;
Whereas Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field on the campus of the University of Mississippi is the home of the 2022 NCAA National Champions;
Whereas the victory of the University of Mississippi baseball team has brought back-to-back Men’s College World Series wins to the State of Mississippi;
Whereas the University of Mississippi athletic program, through its football and baseball teams, was 1 of only 2 athletic programs in the country to appear in both a New Year’s Six bowl game and the Men’s College World Series this year;
Whereas the University of Mississippi now boasts 30 total NCAA national championships;
Whereas the University of Mississippi baseball team, under the leadership of Head Coach Bianco, displayed outstanding dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the 2021–2022 season; and
Whereas the University of Mississippi baseball team has brought great pride and honor to—
(1) the University of Mississippi;
(2) loyal fans of the University of Mississippi; and
(3) the entire State of Mississippi: Now, therefore,
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) congratulates the University of Mississippi baseball team, including the athletes, coaching staff, administration, faculty, students, and alumni, for winning the 2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball championship;
(2) recognizes the University of Mississippi for its excellence as an institution of higher education; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—
(A) the chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Dr. Glenn Boyce;
(B) the athletic director of the University of Mississippi, Keith Carter; and
(C) the head coach of the University of Mississippi baseball team, Mike Bianco.
Wicker Applauds Direction of Supreme Court
Majority Delivers Wins on Life, Guns, Energy, and Religious Freedom
July 11, 2022
It was only six years ago that Justice Antonin Scalia, the conservative titan on our nation’s highest court, passed away unexpectedly. With the 2016 election months away, many feared that Hillary Clinton, if elected, would push the court far to the left. Thankfully, that did not happen. Under President Trump, Senate Republicans confirmed three highly qualified Supreme Court justices – a historic feat that cemented a conservative majority. This was a powerful reminder that voters can change the course of our judiciary. With the court recently issuing a number of monumental decisions, it is clear that this majority is committed to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution as written.
Court Pushes Back on Executive Overreach
One of the court’s most important decisions this year involved the Second Amendment. In a case out of New York, the court held that government cannot restrict gun owners from carrying a concealed weapon for self-defense. Days later, the court vacated several lower court rulings that had allowed for onerous gun and ammunition restrictions in Maryland, New Jersey, and California. These precedents will preserve the right to keep and bear arms for years to come.
Additionally, the court dealt a major blow to government overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency. Siding with West Virginia, the court held that the Biden Administration overstepped its authority when it bypassed Congress to wage war on the coal industry. The court’s 6-3 ruling was a major win for American energy and could relieve some pressure on electricity costs. It was also a firm reminder to regulators that they need permission from Congress to create expansive new rules.
In a big victory for religious freedom, the court sided with Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach in Washington State, who was wrongly fired for exercising his faith. As a Christian, Coach Kennedy made a practice of privately praying at midfield after games. The superintendent eventually ordered him to stop. When he declined, the school fired him. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled in Coach Kennedy’s favor, declaring that he was engaging in free exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment. This sends an important message that public employees can freely live out their faith at the workplace.
The End of Roe v. Wade
Finally, in the most closely watched case of the year, the Supreme Court overturned its 1973 precedent in Roe v. Wade, bringing an end to 50 years of nationwide abortion-on-demand. This case was successfully argued by the state of Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In its opinion, the court declared that Roe was “egregiously wrong,” the Constitution does not in fact protect a right to abortion, and abortion policy is now returned to the people and their elected representatives. This historic breakthrough for the pro-life cause was an answered prayer for millions of Americans. Because of this ruling, lawmakers are now finally able to protect the unborn, as we are seeing in many states.
Conservative Court Plays the Right Role
For decades, the political left has sought to use the courts to bypass the democratic process and advance their agenda by judicial fiat. This is wrong and has greatly harmed our system of government. As Alexander Hamilton once noted, a court’s job is simply to exercise “judgment,” not “will.” With these decisions, the Supreme Court has corrected its past overreach and applied the Constitution fairly and straightforwardly. This new majority is helping restore the court’s proper role within our system.
Wicker Stands Up for Women Athletes
Title IX Protections at Risk After 50 Years on the Books
July 4, 2022
June 23 marked the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark civil rights law that brought athletic opportunity to women across America. Passed in 1972, Title IX bans discrimination on the basis of sex in all schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funds. These institutions are required to give men and women equal access to the programs they offer, including athletic opportunities.
Title IX has been a game-changer for women’s sports. At the time it was enacted, only 15 percent of college athletes were women, and in high school just seven percent of athletes were girls. Female athletes received two percent of college athletics budgets, and sports scholarships for women were almost non-existent. All that has changed because of Title IX. Today, 44 percent of college athletes are women, and 3.5 million girls participate in high school sports. Title IX was truly one of the greatest advances for women in our nation’s history.
Biden Puts Women's Sports in Danger
After such remarkable progress, it is troubling that President Biden is now putting women’s sports at risk. On the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Biden officials released new guidance that could require schools to allow transgender athletes who are biologically male to compete against women. This means that from California to Mississippi, middle school girls could find themselves having to compete with biological boys who identify as transgender. This is simply unacceptable and will meet stiff resistance across the country.
Many Americans are already alarmed that transgender athletes who are biologically male are competing against women. Some of these men have won titles that should have gone to women, causing some female athletes to miss out on scholarships. One recent victim is Riley Gaines, a swimmer from Tennessee. At the NCAA championships, she tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas, a 6’4” biological male who was allowed to compete as a woman. Thomas had previously ranked 400th among male swimmers, yet among women he found himself in contention for a national title. Ms. Gaines said her experience going up against Thomas was disheartening. “It’s just not fair,” she added. “It’s not right.”
Most Americans agree with Ms. Gaines. A recent survey found that roughly six in 10 Americans believe biological men should be barred from competing in collegiate women’s sports. Even FINA, the international governing body for swimming, is adopting this view and just days ago decided to ban most biological men from women’s swimming. As more people stand up to defend women’s sports, the President will find himself in shrinking company.
Republicans Work to Protect Women's Sports
As with so many of his policies, President Biden has clearly failed to consider the real-world impacts of his transgender proposal. Recently I joined my colleagues in pushing back on the President by cosponsoring the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. This bill would clarify that “sex” in Title IX refers strictly to biology. It would also make it illegal for a recipient of federal funds to let males compete in female sports. In addition, as the lead Republican on the Commerce Committee, I have requested that the NCAA provide an update on how they are complying with Title IX.
Women athletes have come too far to have their opportunities taken away. Republicans will continue to stand up to the President and defend women’s sports. Our work will not be done until every woman and girl can compete freely, fairly, and safely.
