White: SCOTUS Ruling Means the Time is Now to Protect Female Athletes

June 30, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) today welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision affirming that states have the authority to protect fairness in women’s athletics and uphold the protections guaranteed under Title IX, while renewing her call for House Democrats to act on legislation preserving equal opportunities for female athletes.

White is a prime sponsor of House Bill 158, legislation to ensure that interscholastic and collegiate athletic teams designated for women and girls are reserved for biological females. The measure mirrors Senate Bill 9, which passed the Senate last year but has yet to receive a vote in the House.

“The Supreme Court has made clear what we have known for years: states have the authority to protect women’s sports and uphold the original intent of Title IX,” White said. “Pennsylvania should not be standing on the sidelines. The House should immediately take up House Bill 158 or Senate Bill 9 and send it to the governor’s desk.”

House Bill 158 and Senate Bill 9 would preserve fair competition for female athletes, protect athletic and scholarship opportunities, improve player safety, and ensure that the rights and opportunities guaranteed to women under Title IX are not eroded.

Despite broad public support for protecting women’s sports, House Democrats have repeatedly played political games by shuffling these bills between committees rather than allowing a vote.

“This should never be a partisan issue,” White said. “I wholeheartedly agree with the Court's closing statement that no student-athlete on either side of this issue deserves to be ostracized or vilified. But women and girls deserve a level playing field, and they deserve legislators who are willing to stand up for them. It’s time for the House to stop delaying, uphold the promise of Title IX, and pass this legislation.”

Representative Martina White
170th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Fitch
717.260.6563
jfitch@pahousegop.com
www.RepWhite.com / www.facebook.com/RepMartinaWhite