The Wisconsin Catholic Conference, in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has expressed support for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. They have urged Wisconsin Catholics to reach out to their U.S. Senators to vote in favor of the bill.
According to a press release, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 was introduced with the aim of ensuring that federally-funded female sports programs are exclusively for biological females, thereby promoting fairness and safety in women’s athletics.
The bill successfully passed the House of Representatives in January but encountered opposition in the Senate, where it failed to progress after a procedural vote. The Senate saw a division along party lines, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing the bill.
The bishops emphasized upholding human dignity and biological realities while advocating for policies that protect women and girls in sports. They said that the bill aligns with Church teachings.
Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin co-sponsored the legislation as part of efforts to preserve Title IX protections for female athletes by ensuring participation is limited to biological females, according to a press release.
Conversely, Senator Tammy Baldwin and her Democratic colleagues voted against advancing the bill, which aimed to prevent boys from competing against girls.
The USCCB serves as the official assembly of Catholic bishops in the United States, responsible for guiding Church teachings, public policy advocacy, and promoting Catholic values.
