The U.S. Senate narrowly defeated an amendment to a COVID-19 relief bill, largely along party lines, that would have prohibited states, school districts, and universities from receiving federal education. funds if they allow transgender females or nonbinary athletes who were assigned male at birth to participate in athletics designated specifically for women and girls.
The Tuberville Amendment, offered by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and co-sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), received 49 votes in favor, with 48 Republicans and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.V.) supporting the restriction, which ultimately would have forced states and school districts to ban transgender athletes from competing in order to receive federal funding, or, if they resisted, would likely have prompted districts to make severe cuts to special programming or extracurricular activities.