Dear Friends,

As a former athlete and the mother of a daughter who competed in college athletics, I know firsthand the dedication and grit it takes to succeed on the courts and the playing fields. I also know many of my fellow West Virginians have this experience as well and seen directly how competitive sports teach our children invaluable lessons about leadership, perseverance, and teamwork.

However, the integrity of these opportunities for our daughters is currently at risk. Forcing girls and young women to compete against biological males robs them of their chance to succeed on an equal playing field and undermines decades of progress in women’s athletics that I have worked for throughout my time in Congress.

Fighting for our female athletes has long been an issue of importance to me. I joined my colleagues as an original cosponsor of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, alongside lead sponsor Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), to ensure that our focus remains on preserving the fairness that female athletes of all ages deserve. 

We must remain dedicated to protecting the physical safety and the competitive dreams of the next generation of women so that their hard work is met with a fair chance to succeed. Back in 2021, I penned an op-ed in Fox News on the importance of these efforts and steps that need to be taken here.

The advancement of women’s sports is something to be celebrated. I remain committed to fighting for a future where every girl in West Virginia and across the country can compete with confidence. Thank you for standing with me as we work to keep women’s sports fair, safe, and competitive.

Sincerely,

Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Senator