Across the nation, the fight to protect women’s athletic opportunities is gaining significant, bipartisan ground. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, introduced by Congressman Greg Steube (R-Florida 17th), clarifies that Title IX protects women’s sports based on biological sex, not gender identity.
After years of public outrage sparked by the NCAA awarding a women’s national championship to a male athlete, the U.S. House of Representatives has seen steadily increasing support for this protection. In the last Congress, not a single Democrat voted in favor of it. Earlier this year, two Democrats broke party lines to protect women, and now support is continuing to build. During the debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA), an amendment was offered to prohibit male athletes from competing on women’s sports teams at military academies. This amendment passed with the support of 10 Democrats. We are excited to see the U.S. House of Representatives now reflect the broad nature of this movement.
However, here in New Mexico, our representatives have failed to take action. Not a single member of Congress from our state voted to protect women’s sports. Meanwhile, in the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session, a bill to ban men from competing on women’s teams was tabled in committee, never even reaching a full vote. The message is clear: New Mexico’s female athletes are being ignored.
This is more than politics; it is about fairness, safety, and opportunity. Nationwide, grassroots organizations such as Concerned Women for America (CWA) and Young Women for America (YWA) have energized communities, bringing pressure to bear on legislators from California to Texas and South Carolina. CWA has long partnered with traditionally left-leaning groups, such as the Women’s Liberation Front, to safeguard women’s sports, demonstrating the broad, non-partisan nature of this issue. Women and girls are finally being heard, and some lawmakers are taking notice. Yet our state lawmakers have failed to give the issue a fair hearing or stand for the young women in their own districts.
The consequences are real. Female athletes in New Mexico continue to face unfair competition, safety concerns, and a lack of recognition. Schools and sports programs are caught in limbo, unable to enforce protections while legislation languishes in committee. Meanwhile, the federal House is demonstrating that change is possible when constituents demand accountability and politicians are willing to act in the interest of fairness rather than political convenience.
New Mexico lawmakers must prioritize women and girls in 2026 by passing legislation that ensures female athletes can compete safely and fairly. Until then, our daughters will continue to be overlooked, while other states—and even the U.S. Congress—move forward with growing bipartisan coalitions.
New Mexico must demonstrate that the rights and opportunities of women and girls are more important than politics. Our daughters deserve leaders who will stand up for them and take meaningful action.
Nickie McCarty is the State Director for Concerned Women for America of New Mexico. She is also a former educator and athletic director.
