Independent Women’s Voice announces the Riley Gaines Stand with Women Scorecard for the 119th Congress. The Scorecard, first launched by Independent Women in 2024, is a first-of-its-kind resource that tells every American the elected leaders who stand with women and those who do not.
Independent Women will score every Congressional member on particular legislative votes pertaining to women’s rights to equal opportunity, safety, and privacy. The first bill scored in the 119th Congress is the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. In a major win for women, the bill, sponsored by Representative Greg Stuebe (R-Fla.), passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support in a 218-206 vote, with Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) are voting for it this time, and Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) voting “present.” This vote paves the way for the Senate bill, sponsored by Coach (Sen.) Tommy Tuberville. The bill would strengthen Title IX sex-based protections by explicitly prohibiting males from participating in school athletic programs that are designated for women. Title IX, enacted by Congress over 52 years ago, is meant to ensure equal opportunity in education between the sexes, including in athletics.
Independent Women has worked closely with policymakers to advance the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Following the bill’s House passage, Independent Women Ambassador Riley Gaines joined Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Steube for a press conference to celebrate this win for women and girls.
“There is a national mandate from the American people to stand up for objective truth and to stand with women — preserving our privacy, safety, and equal opportunities. Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Johnson for prioritizing the protection of women’s rights, Representative Stuebe for advancing critical legislation, and all of the members of Congress who voted in support of America’s women and girls. Today’s House passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act means we’re one step closer to ensuring no more women lose trophies, roster spots, playing time, scholarships, or fair competition to men in their own sport. Independent Women, through the Riley Gaines Stand With Women Scorecard, has given Americans a unique tool to know who stands with women and who does not. And today upon scoring this vote, it’s clear which members of the U.S. House will advance truth and fairness — answering the demands from Americans nationwide,” said Riley Gaines, Independent Women Ambassador.
The Riley Gaines Stand With Women Scorecard has proven impact, delivering a 90% win rate in the 2024 Election for those who were Riley Gaines “approved” – showcasing a mandate for leaders who stand with women and will fight against increasing threats to women’s rights, opportunities, and spaces.
During the 119th Congress, the Stand With Women Scorecard will evaluate lawmakers’ commitment to supporting legislation that preserves female opportunities and private spaces. It will hold policymakers accountable, including by scoring today’s vote on H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which passed with bipartisan support in a 218-206 vote.
Carrie Lukas, president of Independent Women, said: “In 2024, the American people spoke loud and clear that they want a restoration of common sense and that starts by protecting the integrity of women’s sports. Women and girls deserve leagues of their own where they know they will have a level playing field and the opportunity to win. Congress should have this legislation waiting on the President’s desk on day one so that women and girls can begin to put the travesty of the last four years behind them and move forward with confidence knowing that the country and its laws respect them and will protect their rights from now on.”
May Mailman, director of Independent Women’s Law Center, said: “This is common sense and not at all controversial. Men cannot call themselves girls and play girls’ sports anymore than a professional athlete can call himself 12 years old and join a junior high team.”
Independent Women urges the U.S. Senate to follow suit in passing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in order to stand with women and preserve the original intent of Title IX.
Today’s vote follows on the heels of a Federal District Court in Kentucky issuing a decision in Tennessee v. Cardona that strikes down the Biden administration’s unlawful attempt to redefine ‘sex’ in Title IX to include ‘gender identity.’ The Court’s ruling applies nationwide, a major win for women and girls across the country, and showcases the national momentum on this issue.
