East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) have sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, urging an update to the student-athlete policy to ensure only biologically female students can participate in women’s sports.

“In April of this year, the NAIA Council of Presidents unanimously approved a new policy prohibiting the participation of males in women’s sports. Similarly, in June of this year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Lia Thomas lacked standing to challenge World Aquatic’s policy barring Thomas from competing in the women’s category for the Olympics. These decisions are rooted in the fundamental knowledge that—while each individual should have access to sports—men and women have biological differences that must be respected,” wrote the Senators. “…The very bedrock of sport is the exhibition of a commitment to excellence, grace under pressure, and fair play among competitors—all of which is threatened absent an even playing field. Women deserve that even playing field and chance to compete, one that can only be achieved by ensuring that only females compete in women’s sports. We urge you to follow the lead of the NAIA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport and adopt policies that protect women’s sports.”

The letter was also signed by Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Braun (R-Indiana), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Rick Scott (R-Florida).