Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 2026
Sponsor
W. Steube
Republican · FL-17
Latest Action · Feb 17, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 423.
Bill Progress
Bill targets sex definitions in amateur sports
Why it matters
The bill could reshape who can compete in women's athletics nationwide right now.
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What This Bill Does
Defines 'female' by reproductive system
Sets a legal definition for 'female' as someone with (or who would have, minus rare anomalies) the potential to produce eggs.
Defines 'male' by reproductive system
Defines 'male' legally as someone with (or who would have) the potential to produce sperm.
Binds sports organizations to new rules
Requires national amateur sports bodies to use these definitions for setting eligibility in women's competitions.
Covers Olympic and Amateur Levels
Affects all governing organizations under U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee authority, likely trickling down to youth and college sports.
Limited exception for rare medical cases
Makes a narrow exception only for athletes with genetic or developmental anomalies.
Who Benefits
Cisgender female athletes
Ensures competition is limited to those assigned female at birth, aimed at maintaining current standards of fairness.
Sports governing bodies
Gives clarity on federal definitions, possibly reducing uncertainty over eligibility litigation.
Supporters of gender-based sports separation
Codifies a biological basis for sex categories in sports, which many advocacy groups have demanded.
Parents concerned about fairness in girls' sports
Addresses concerns about girls competing against transgender women in local and national events.
Who's Affected
Transgender female athletes
Would be barred from competing in women's divisions under these definitions, regardless of transition or hormone therapy.
LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations
Forced to respond to the legislation, likely launching challenges or campaigns against what they see as exclusionary rules.
Sport governing organizations
Must rewrite rulebooks and adjust compliance procedures, risking conflicts with international policies.
Event organizers and sponsors
Could face public pressure and scrutiny over whether competitions align with the new law or other inclusive policies.
Cosponsors (73)
Andrew Clyde
Republican · GA
Doug LaMalfa
Republican · CA
Mike Haridopolos
Republican · FL
Nancy Mace
Republican · SC
Tim Burchett
Republican · TN
Claudia Tenney
Republican · NY
Daniel Webster
Republican · FL
Troy Nehls
Republican · TX
Burgess Owens
Republican · UT
Mary Miller
Republican · IL
Harriet Hageman
Republican · WY
James Baird
Republican · IN
Recent Actions
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 423.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-497.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-497.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 10.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Committees (1)
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Full Bill Text
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View the complete legislative text on Congress.gov
Source: Congress.gov