WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with West Virginia and Idaho, upholding state laws that require student-athletes to compete on teams that correspond with their biological sex, setting a new precedent allowing states to protect women’s sports.
Here’s what Republican governors are saying:
“This morning, common sense has won again!
“The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Little v. Hecox affirms that our female athletes are protected from men competing in women’s sports.
I am proud that Idaho has led the nation in supporting generations of women and men who fought hard to uphold Title IX protections and keep girls and women safe.”
Governor Patrick Morrisey (WV):
“Today’s decision will be remembered as one of the most important victories for women’s athletics since the enactment of Title IX itself.
“Years ago, as Attorney General of West Virginia, I brought this case to the Supreme Court because I knew that protecting women’s sports was consistent with the Constitution and a matter of basic fairness. That principle brought West Virginia to the center of a national debate and ultimately before the highest court in the land.
“For far too long, Americans watched as this debate unfolded and wondered whether the promise made to generations of women and girls would endure. Today, the Supreme Court answered that question. The protections established under Title IX remain meaningful, the integrity of women’s sports remains worth preserving, and states retain the authority to defend fair competition.
“This began in West Virginia, but its impact reaches every corner of the country. Future generations of female athletes will benefit from the certainty, fairness, and opportunity this decision protects.
“West Virginia stood its ground. We defended a simple principle most Americans instinctively understand: that women’s sports exist to provide women and girls a fair opportunity to compete and succeed. Today, I am grateful to my team, who worked tirelessly on this issue for years, and to our current Attorney General, who saw this case through.”
“Today’s Supreme Court decision upholding fairness in women’s sports is a win for common sense and young athletes across the country. As the parents of three daughters, Marty and I applaud this further protection of Title IX for Georgia’s women and young girls.”
“Today, the Supreme Court recognized what Iowa put into law four years ago: girls’ sports are for girls.”
“The Supreme Court upheld a common sense law.
“Because states like Oklahoma enacted the Save Women’s Sports Act, girls all across the country are protected in the locker room and get to compete on a level playing field.”
“This is great news! A major victory for the future of women’s sports. Simply, Nebraska’s girls should not be forced to compete against biological males.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold these laws — similar to Nebraska’s ‘Stand With Women’ Act that I signed into law — is a decision for commonsense, fairness, and Nebraska values.”
“June is designated as Title IX Month across our nation, and SCOTUS could not have had a more appropriate ruling on this final day. I am glad to see our nation’s highest court reaffirm states’ ability to ban biological boys from girls sports. Alabama is proud to protect our girls!”
“Girls and women should compete against each other, not against boys and men. This is a major victory for female athletes across the country.”
“Huge win at the Supreme Court for girls’ sports.
“In Texas, we’ve been clear: no boys in girls’ sports. I signed it into law.
“Today fairness prevailed. Female athletes earned their place — and now it’s protected.
“This is a win for women, for truth, and for the common sense our nation was founded on.”
“A victory for common sense. A victory for fairness. A victory for every girl in America.”
“This is just common sense. Men should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports – full stop. I applaud SCOTUS on this important decision. What a win for Hoosier women and families.”
“It is unfair for biological males to compete in women’s sports, and as the mom of a daughter who competed in varsity sports in high school, I am pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision today that protects women’s sports and paves the way to enforce our law in New Hampshire prohibiting men from competing in women’s sports.”
“Common sense prevails.
“As the parents of three daughters, Claudia and I applaud this ruling that further protects fairness, safety, and opportunity for women and young girls.”
“Today is a great day for girls’ sports and states’ rights! South Dakota has been a leader in protecting women’s sports, and today, the Supreme Court upheld our ability to do so.”
“This is good and all, but we settled the women’s sports issue in Florida years ago.”
“In Mississippi, we decided years ago that we are gonna let girls play girls sports and we are gonna let boys play boys sports.
“Biological men should not be participating in women’s sports. Men are bigger, faster, stronger, and they can pose serious safety risks to female competitors.
“It’s just common sense.
“Glad SCOTUS issued this historic decision in defense of wonderful female athletes all across America!”
“Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court provides important legal clarity and affirms that states have the authority to protect fair competition in girls’ sports.
“Nevadans overwhelmingly believe that female athletes deserve a level playing field and the opportunity to compete against other biological females.
“Last week, I announced my intention to ask the Legislature to address this issue during the 2027 legislative session. Today’s ruling only reinforces the need for Nevada lawmakers to act. This is no longer a question clouded by legal uncertainty. It is an opportunity for the Legislature to provide a permanent, common-sense collusion that reflects both the law and the will of Nevada voters.
“I remain committed to protecting opportunities for female athletes while treating every Nevadan with dignity and respect. I urge lawmakers from both parties to come together and finally settle this issue for our students, our schools, and Nevada families.”
“It is an amazing win because the underlying issue here, is that there are only two sexes right, that’s biologically true, so to me the Supreme Court ended the debate, there are only two sexes male and female and having men compete in women’s sports undermines everything that Title IX was put for.”
“I welcome today’s United States Supreme Court ruling which upholds state legislation mandating that student-athletes participate on sports teams aligned with their biological sex at birth, as opposed to their gender identity. I was pleased to join a statement this January, along with other Republican Governors, in support of this litigation and believe as a father of girls who competed in high school sports, that sports brings real value to young women’s lives and they deserve to be protected in that space. This decision does just that.”
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