Arizona Democrats Reject Measures to Safeguard Women’s Sports

By Staff Reporter |

Arizona’s Democratic congressional representatives recently opposed legislative measures aimed at protecting female athletes from participation by individuals identifying as female but biologically male. The House approved HR 28, titled the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025,” with 218 votes, backed entirely by Republican congressmen from Arizona.

All Democrats, including freshman Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari and veteran Greg Stanton, voted against the bill. Additionally, Raúl Grijalva was noted as one of the nine lawmakers who chose not to cast a vote. During the debate, Ansari characterized the legislation as a “Child Predator Empowerment Act,” asserting it could jeopardize children’s safety.

“This bill threatens the physical and mental safety of minors,” Ansari stated. “Existing regulations already ensure fairness in children’s sports. HR 28 amounts to government overreach and lacks enforcement guidelines, exposing young girls to invasive examinations.”

In a statement preceding the vote, Ansari expressed concern over the continuous assaults on LGBTQI+ rights, reinforcing her commitment as a member of the Equality Caucus along with Stanton and Grijalva. She stated, “We will face ongoing attacks on the rights and dignity of the LGBTQI+ community.”

The proposed law modifies the Education Amendments of 1972, explicitly barring federal financial aid recipients from allowing male athletes to compete in programs designed for females. It defines sex based on one’s biology at birth.

However, the bill permits males to engage in training or practice with female-designated teams as long as this does not affect females’ opportunities regarding scholarships or sports participation. Additionally, HR 28 mandates a study from the Comptroller General on the impact of female participation in female sports and the potential consequences of male involvement.

Introduced earlier this month by Florida Congressman Greg Steube, the bill has swiftly gained traction in the House. Steube argued on the House floor that the legislation aims to protect societal norms against what he referred to as “radical left” ideologies surrounding gender. He remarked, “All throughout humanity, we recognized that there are men and there are women as God created.”

The recent vote reflects the ongoing national scrutiny and debate surrounding gender identity in sports, underscoring the polarized perspectives within Congress and among constituents.