East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, representing Idaho, has joined forces with Senator Jim Risch and U.S. Representative Burgess Owens in urging the Mountain West Conference to implement a ban on biological males participating in women's sports. This action aims to protect female student-athletes across the conference's member institutions.

The lawmakers' letter highlights concerns about the safety and competitive fairness for women in sports, citing instances where teams like Boise State University's Women's Volleyball team forfeited games due to a biological male being present on an opposing team roster.

"Title IX recognizes the fundamental biological differences between men and women and allows each to pursue educational programs and activities equally, including athletics," the lawmakers stated. They emphasized that failing to acknowledge these differences "puts our daughters and granddaughters in harm’s way."

In addition to Crapo, Risch, and Owens, other congressional Republicans from the mountain west region have signed the letter. These include Senators John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming; Mike Lee, Mitt Romney of Utah; as well as Representatives Russ Fulcher, Mike Simpson of Idaho; John Curtis, Celeste Maloy, Blake Moore of Utah; and Harriet Hageman of Wyoming.

The full letter addressed to Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Neverez is available for public reading.