(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is making a renewed pitch for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act she and 20 other Senate Republicans are co-sponsoring. She opposes a Biden Administration proposal to allow some restrictions in competitive high school and college sports, but forbid outright bans on transgender athletes’ participation in female sports. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says biological males should not be allowed to compete in girls’ and women’s sports.

President Nixon signed Title Nine in 1972. It bans sex discrimination in education and sports activities that are federally funded. Ernst says letting biological males compete against women and girls destroys the intent of the 51 year old law.

Ernst says forcing women to compete against biological men in sports robs them of privacy, critical scholarships and championship titles. The U-S Education Secretary says being on a sports team is an important part of the school experience for students of all ages and the Biden Administration’s proposed policy is designed to ensure equal opportunity in athletics.