Monday on "The Megyn Kelly Show," U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) called on Senate leadership to bring his bill preserving Title IX protections for female athletes to a vote.
With a Republican-controlled Senate, Tuberville said it was time for lawmakers to "put up or shut up" when it comes to protecting female athletes with his Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, adding there was "a lot of work to do" after failing to gain any traction in a Democrat-led Senate multiple times.
"We have got the majority on our side ... we've got to get it to the floor," Tuberville told host Megyn Kelly. "John Thune told me he was going to get it to the floor — he hasn't done it. Now, it's time to put up or shut up. We have got to get it on the floor so people can see — if it's not going to pass, we'll do it again, but we've got to get people on the record because this is something that is very dear to the heart of all parents across this country, and it's dead wrong."
Kelly asked, “Would John Thune not want it to come to the floor—he certainly wouldn’t want to protect Democrats — he must know of Republicans who are not ready to vote for this thing?"
“Well, leadership is actually co-sponsors of this, and I think at the end of the day, John Thune’s been overwhelmed," Tuberville responded. "Obviously, you’ve got President Trump breathing down his neck, you’ve got the Congress or the House pushing things over — we’re trying to do reconciliation…the Laken Riley Act needed to be passed because it was so important with the border being under attack and we’re losing so many young men and women to fentanyl and all those things. But now is the time to act on this. We can’t wait any longer. Fifty years of Title IX , it has been decimated by Biden and the Democrats and all the far-left progressives. I grew up in this business of coaching. I saw what it did for young girls, older girls — it’s created leaders across this country, and we’re absolutely devastating this.
“Is there some belief that this can’t pass, and they only want wins right now? They only want to put legislation on the floor that can get through?” Kelly asked.
“Yeah, and put yourself in John Thune’s position and the leadership of the Senate," he replied. "They’re looking at things ‘Hey, let’s win early. Let’s get on the scoreboard early.’ But the problem with this is we’ve already won because President Trump pushed this out there. Now’s the time to put pressure on the Democrats. Time and time again, even before the next election—get them on the vote that they’re going to vote against girls and women, having them participate against men and boys. It’s devastating to sports. It’s devastating to the lives of young people—the rapes in dressing rooms and showers."
“It’s going to become a common thing if you don’t stop this now," Tuberville added. "You let this landslide keep going—we’re going to have huge problems getting it stopped. So, it’s important that we stop it now, President Trump’s hot on the trail on this with his executive order…Fifty years ago was the first time we ever said, ‘OK, let’s give women—young men and women—young girls and women an opportunity, and it started, and it’s the best thing that ever passed out of this place we call ‘the Swamp’ here in Washington, D.C. But again, we’re going to keep fighting for it…I’m going to continue to push leadership—John Thune, John Barrasso—they’re on my side on this, but again, you might have hit the nail on the head a while ago when you said, ‘They might just want to win.’ Well, we’ve had two losses in the last two votes that weren’t Laken Riley. So hey, it’s not just about winning or losing on this—let’s get it out there where people can see what’s going on.’”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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