East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Jim Risch and Representative Burgess Owens have called on the Mountain West Conference to prohibit biological males from participating in women's sports. They emphasize the need to protect female student-athletes. This action follows incidents where several women's athletics programs at Mountain West member institutions, such as Boise State University's Women's Volleyball team, forfeited games due to concerns over safety related to a biological male competing on an opposing team.

The lawmakers stated, "Title IX recognizes the fundamental biological differences between men and women and allows each to pursue educational programs and activities equally, including athletics. Failure to recognize these biological differences between males and females puts our daughters and granddaughters in harm’s way." They further criticized the conference for not providing a safe environment for women athletes: "The Mountain West Conference is failing to create an environment that allows women to compete without fearing for their safety. As representatives of our states and as parents and grandparents, we demand you take action to reverse this unacceptable trend."

Risch and Owens are supported by other congressional Republicans from the mountain west region. These include U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Mike Lee, Mitt Romney, and U.S. Representatives Russ Fulcher, Mike Simpson, John Curtis, Celeste Maloy, Blake Moore, and Harriet Hageman.

A full letter addressed to Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Neverez is available for public viewing.