House Democrats Shift Views on Women’s Sports Legislation

Several House Democrats are taking a different stance on the issue of men competing in women’s sports. This comes as Republicans emphasize the topic as a key issue ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Representatives Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell, both from Alabama, broke ranks by supporting an amendment to a defense policy bill. This amendment aims to prevent biological males from participating in women’s sports at schools run by the Department of War. Last year, both had opposed similar legislation.

Figures faces a competitive re-election campaign due to recent redistricting, which increased Republican voters in his district. Consequently, he is now on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s target list. As for Sewell, although her district remains largely unchanged, she also diverged from her party in the recent vote.

The amendment saw Democrat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and over 200 other Democrats voting against it, while all Republicans present supported it. Previously, in 2025, both Figures and Sewell voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The act sought to block biological males from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at federally funded schools.

Transgender issues continue to create divisions within the Democratic Party. Many public polls show strong opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. A 2025 New York Times/Ipsos poll indicated that nearly 80% of Americans opposed it, and about 70% of Democrats or those leaning Democrat shared this view.

Republicans quickly criticized Alabama Democrats’ shift. Reilly Richardson, a spokesperson for the NRCC, accused Figures and Sewell of political maneuvering. “Out of touch Democrats are desperately trying to hide their far-left views,” Richardson stated.

Figures defended his position in a statement, claiming his views on the topic have been consistent. He referred to his past support for a 2025 amendment vote that restricted transgender athletes. “I oppose men in women’s sports,” Figures said, highlighting concerns about potential misuse of sex checks.

Other Democrats, such as Don Davis from North Carolina, and Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez from Texas, also voted with Republicans on this amendment. These Democrats often support bills authored by Republicans, while Davis was present on a related vote in 2025.

The amendment’s sponsor, Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina, argued that the measure is meant to protect women’s sports. She stated, “Men are not women. Male athletes are taking medals by competing, which our NDAA amendment seeks to end.”