AFPI Pennsylvania Applauds Senate Bill 9 Discharge Resolution

Harrisburg, PA— The Pennsylvania Chapter of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI-PA) applauds the discharge resolution introduced to bring Senate Bill 9 (SB9) Save Women’s Sports Act out of the House Education Committee to the full House floor for a vote. This critical legislation, which passed the Pennsylvania Senate with bipartisan support, is essential to protecting the integrity, fairness, and safety of women’s and girls’ sports in the Commonwealth.

SB9 addresses a pressing issue: ensuring that biological women and girls can compete on a level playing field, free from the physiological advantages of male competitors. Female athletes like Paula Scanlon, Emily Kreps and Lily Williams shared powerful testimonies at the State Capitol about the profound impact of unfair competition with biological males on their lives and the emotional toll of compromised privacy and opportunity when males participate in female sports. Their stories underscore the urgency of this legislation, which transcends partisan divides and resonates with Pennsylvanians across the political spectrum.

We commend the bipartisan coalition of Senate leaders who championed SB9, for recognizing the well-documented biological differences that affect athletic performance. The Senate’s decisive action sends a clear message: protecting women’s sports is a matter of common sense and fairness.

AFPI-PA condemns the obstructionist stance taken by the House Education Committee to block SB9 despite overwhelming public support to address the real, measurable harm faced by female athletes in Pennsylvania. Girls have lost dozens of placements in events across the Commonwealth since 2020, and incidents like the severe injury suffered by Payton McNabb in a 2022 volleyball match, highlight the physical risks of inaction. Dismissal of these concerns is unacceptable and betrays the young women who deserve a fair chance to compete and succeed.

The Commonwealth must prioritize the safety, privacy, and opportunities of biological women and girls over political pandering. Pennsylvania leaders must stand up for fairness and ensure that the progress of Title IX—hard-won by generations of women—is not undermined.

The America First Policy Institute stands with the PA Family Council, impacted athletes, and countless advocates across the Commonwealth in demanding support for Title IX. The time to protect women’s sports is now. Let us ensure that every girl in Pennsylvania can compete, thrive, and achieve her dreams in a fair and safe environment.