Congressional Democrats are silent on potential actions following the Supreme Court’s decision affecting transgender athletes, illustrating a contentious issue dividing the party ahead of the midterm elections. The court ruled that states can prohibit biological males from participating in girls’ and women’s school sports, sustaining laws in Idaho and West Virginia and validating similar laws in 25 states restricting participation based on biological sex.
This decision was celebrated by Republicans and did not affect the states that allow biological males in women’s sports teams. Progressive Democrats criticized the decision, while most Democratic officials remained silent, with no clear legislative response outlined. Rep. Sarah Jacobs, D-Calif., expressed support for transgender rights, stating on social media, “I want every trans kid to know that there are people here in Congress fighting for you.” However, she did not specify if Democrats would propose legislation to counter the court’s ruling.
The Congressional Equality Caucus and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., also did not comment on any legislative response. The Equality Caucus criticized the decision on social media, calling it “devastating” for transgender athletes. Communication requests made to spokespeople for Jacobs, Jeffries, and the Equality Caucus did not receive responses.
Public polling indicates broad opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports, including among Democrats, potentially making lawmakers cautious about challenging the ruling. A 2025 survey by The New York Times found that nearly 80% of Americans opposed biological males competing in women’s sports, with 70% of Democrats or those leaning Democrat holding that view.
Centrist Democrats were largely silent on the Supreme Court’s decision. Few Democratic lawmakers in competitive reelection campaigns commented on the court’s ruling, as revealed by a Fox News Digital analysis of Cook Political Report election data. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., seeking reelection in a Republican-leaning district, issued a statement supporting the court’s decision, emphasizing the significance of Title IX in expanding athletic opportunities for women and girls.
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling affirming that states possess the legal authority to maintain separate sports teams based on biological sex,” Davis stated.
Democrat Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., indicated that the trans rights movement overlooks certain aspects of women’s sports, noting public concerns about athletic scholarships for young women. Yet, she did not explicitly express her stance on the court’s ruling.
The Senate witnessed sparse responses to the decision. Requests sent to various Democratic lawmakers’ offices inquiring whether they would contest the ruling if they regained a majority in the upper chamber remained unanswered. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not remark on the decision but had praised the Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship and attended New York City’s Pride parade days before.
Some prominent supporters of trans rights in the Senate did express their views, pledging continued support for transgender athletes. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., criticized the decision, accusing the court of enabling discrimination against the trans community under Trump and MAGA Republicans.
This decision tears trans athletes from their teams and the sports they love,” Markey stated on X.
He is campaigning for reelection against Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., echoed similar sentiments, accusing right-wing extremists and the MAGA movement of targeting the trans community and expressing solidarity with transgender kids.
My heart is with trans kids and their loved ones,” Warren stated. “I won’t stop fighting for them.”