Vulnerable Democratic Senators Face Backlash Over Vote Against Sports Bill
Two Democratic senators considered vulnerable in upcoming elections are facing significant criticism for their recent votes against a bill aimed at preventing biological males from participating in women’s and girls’ sports. The bill, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, has sparked a heated debate across the nation, with proponents arguing it is essential to ensure fair competition and protect the integrity of women’s sports, while opponents contend it is discriminatory and harmful to transgender individuals.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, both facing re-election in 2026, have found themselves at the center of this controversy. Their decision to vote against advancing the bill has drawn the ire of Republican lawmakers, conservative groups, and even some within their own party. The senators are now attempting to explain and justify their votes in the face of mounting pressure.
Shaheen, in an interview with Fox News Digital, defended her vote by suggesting that federal legislation is unnecessary. She pointed to the NCAA, led by Charlie Baker, as an organization capable of policing the issue effectively. Shaheen argued that the matter currently affects only a limited number of individuals, implying that existing organizational structures can adequately address the situation without the need for federal intervention.
"I listened to what I heard in New Hampshire, and what we heard from people who were keeping track of how many — Charlie Baker, for example, who heads the NCAA, who said that it only applies to one person," Shaheen stated. "I don’t think we need legislation to do that. I think we can police it through the organizations."
Ossoff, in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, echoed similar concerns about federal overreach. He described the bill as an "overreach," arguing that school districts and athletic associations are better equipped to ensure fair competition without involving the federal government in what he characterized as potentially "intrusive investigation[s]" into the bodies of adolescent student athletes.
"This bill was overreach," Ossoff stated. "School districts and athletic associations can ensure fair, safe competition without subjecting the bodies of adolescent student athletes — children — to intrusive investigation by the federal government."
However, their explanations have failed to quell the criticism. Republicans have seized on the vote as evidence that the Democratic Party is out of touch with mainstream American values. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., the bill’s sponsor, issued a scathing statement accusing Democrats of stripping away the rights of women and girls.
"This past week showed us how evil the Democrat party truly is," Tuberville said. "Every single senator voted to strip away the rights of women and girls everywhere. Both Sen. Jon Ossoff and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen pretend to care about women, but they clearly don’t give a rip about their privacy, safety, or right to fair competition. They think protecting female athletes is an ‘overreach,’ but are perfectly okay with forcing women to share locker rooms and shower with fully intact males. One thing is clear: Jon Ossoff and Jeanne Shaheen are completely out of touch with their voters."
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) also weighed in, targeting Ossoff directly. NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia accused Ossoff of siding against the "overwhelming majority of Georgians" who support keeping men out of women’s sports.
"Jon Ossoff could have joined the overwhelming majority of Georgians in the fight for common sense and keeping men out of women’s sports," Puglia said. "Instead, he told parents and their daughters that Democrats believe they must play sports and share locker rooms and bathrooms with biological males."
The vote comes amidst growing public debate over the participation of transgender athletes in sports. A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey revealed that a majority of Americans, including a significant percentage of Democrats, believe that biological males should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. The survey indicated that 67% of Democrats agreed with Republicans on this issue.
The bill itself sought to define gender for the purposes of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs. The bill would require Title IX to treat gender as "recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth" and would not allow for it to be applied to a differing gender identity.
The procedural vote on the bill failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster, with all voting Democrats blocking the measure. The vote tally was 51 to 45.
The political implications of this vote are significant, particularly for Shaheen and Ossoff, who are both up for re-election in 2026. While Ossoff has been actively preparing for a challenging Senate race, Shaheen has yet to announce her re-election plans. Her decision is expected to be revealed later this month, and her vote on this bill is likely to factor into her calculus.
New Hampshire’s political landscape is considered "Lean Democratic," while Georgia is considered a "Toss Up," according to the Cook Political Report. Gov. Brian Kemp, R-Ga., is a potential GOP challenger to Ossoff, although he has not yet announced his candidacy.
The controversy surrounding this bill highlights the deep divisions within American society over issues of gender identity and sports. The debate is unlikely to subside anytime soon, and the votes of Shaheen and Ossoff are certain to remain a point of contention as they navigate their respective political futures. Their attempts to justify their votes underscore the delicate balance they must strike between appealing to their base and addressing the concerns of a broader electorate. The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching consequences for the future of women’s sports and the rights of transgender athletes.
