Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and 21 other GOP colleagues have called on National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President Charlie Baker to revise the organization's student-athlete policy to ensure that only biologically female students can participate in women's sports.

"Amid the Biden-Harris administration’s unprecedented assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women’s sports," wrote the senators. "The 2024 Summer Olympics are upon us, and the NCAA has boasted about its athletes’ participation. Yet the NCAA has still taken no steps to protect a critical portion of these athletes."

The letter emphasizes perceived biological differences between males and females, citing anatomical and physiological factors such as heart size, red blood cell count, lung capacity, muscle mass, bone density, and body fat. "Consistently, when adult males’ athletic performance is contrasted with adult females’ athletic performance in sports relying on endurance, muscle strength, speed, and power, males dominate, outperforming females by 10 to 30 percent," stated the senators.

In addition to Ricketts and Blackburn, other signatories include Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), James Lankford (R-OK), John Thune (R-SD), James Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Rick Scott (R-FL).

The letter also references actions taken by other organizations like the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Court of Arbitration for Sport to restrict male participation in women's sports. It argues that hormone therapy does not fully mitigate biological advantages held by trans-identifying athletes.

"Other athletics associations are beginning to recognize this scientific fact," the letter continues. "In April of this year, the NAIA Council of Presidents unanimously approved a new policy prohibiting the participation of males in women’s sports. Similarly, in June of this year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Lia Thomas lacked standing to challenge World Aquatic’s policy barring Thomas from competing in the women’s category for the Olympics."

The senators conclude by urging President Baker to adopt policies similar to those implemented by other athletic organizations: "Women deserve that even playing field and chance to compete, one that can only be achieved by ensuring that only females compete in women’s sports."

They expressed their willingness to collaborate with Baker: "We look forward to working with you to support girls and women in sports."