Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) has taken a decisive stance in support of women’s and girls’ sports by cosponsoring and voting to pass H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The bill aims to preserve the integrity of female athletic competition and uphold the protections granted under Title IX, which has been instrumental in ensuring equal opportunities for women in education and athletics.
Congressman LaLota, the husband of a former Division One athlete and father to three young daughters who actively participate in team sports, expressed his strong support for the legislation. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining a level playing field for female athletes and preventing policies that could undermine fair competition.
“As the father of three young girls and husband to a former Division One athlete, I am proud to support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. This commonsense bill ensures that women’s and girls’ sports remain on a level playing field, preserving the integrity of competition and safeguarding the rights of female athletes guaranteed to them under Title IX,” said LaLota.
H.R. 28 seeks to prevent biological males from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, arguing that such participation compromises the fairness of competition and diminishes opportunities for female athletes. Supporters of the bill, including LaLota, believe that allowing transgender women to compete in female sports jeopardizes the intent of Title IX, which was enacted in 1972 to protect women from discrimination in educational programs and activities, including athletics.
LaLota criticized attempts by the previous administration to unilaterally alter Title IX regulations without congressional approval. He asserted that any significant changes to the longstanding federal law should be debated and legislated by elected representatives rather than imposed through executive action.
“An administration should never have had the opportunity to make such a significant determination unilaterally, especially when it comes to changes to Title IX, which has long protected the rights of women and girls in sports,” remarked LaLota. “Allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports compromises fair competition and denies young women the opportunity to develop physically and mentally as athletes and deprives them of educational opportunities.”
LaLota’s advocacy for protecting female sports is not new. Even before former President Donald Trump (R-FL) signed an executive order reinforcing protections for women’s sports on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, LaLota had been vocal about preserving the fairness of athletic competition for biological females. Trump’s executive order is a landmark action aimed at safeguarding Title IX protections and ensuring that female athletes were not unfairly disadvantaged. LaLota’s continued stance aligns with this effort and reinforces his dedication to the issue.
The issue of transgender participation in sports has been a subject of national debate, with advocates on both sides voicing passionate arguments. Supporters of transgender inclusion argue that all athletes should be allowed to compete based on their gender identity, while opponents, like LaLota, stress that biological differences between males and females create inherent competitive imbalances that disadvantage female athletes.
“Girls’ sports should be reserved for biological girls and by upholding the integrity of Title IX, we protect the future of girls’ sports and ensure that every young woman has the opportunity to succeed and excel,” said LaLota.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to face further debate. Regardless of the outcome, LaLota’s vote signals his firm stance on preserving fairness and equal opportunity in women’s athletics.
