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WASHINGTON – In a significant move, the Senate on Saturday rejected an amendment aimed at barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. This decision goes against one of former President Donald Trump’s key priorities, as he continues to urge Congress to address a comprehensive voting bill.
On this rare weekend session, senators gathered to deliberate over the voting legislation, which proposes stringent new requirements for voter registration, including mandatory photo identification at polling stations. The legislation’s supporters argue that these measures are essential to prevent illegal voters from participating in elections.
The House had already passed this bill earlier in the year. However, President Trump insisted on adding further stipulations to the legislation, such as the aforementioned ban on transgender athletes and also a prohibition on all mail-in voting.
Despite these efforts, Democrats are anticipated to ultimately thwart the broader voting bill. Republican senators have acknowledged their lack of sufficient support to eliminate the legislative filibuster, which necessitates a 60-vote majority in the 100-member Senate. With Republicans holding 53 seats, finding an alternative method to advance the bill remains challenging.
Nevertheless, Republicans have brought the legislation to the Senate floor this week for extended debate, driven by Trump’s declaration that he would not approve other bills before the voting measure is passed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D, remarked on Saturday morning that Republicans “haven’t made any final decisions about how to conclude this.”
“What we are trying to do is ensure that we are having a fulsome debate,” Thune said, and put everyone on the record “one way or the other.”
The amendment that was blocked by a 49-41 vote would penalize educational institutions that receive federal funding if they permitted individuals assigned male at birth to participate “in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls.”
Trump also wants Congress to block sex reassignment surgeries on some minors as part of the debate on the voting bill. It is unclear whether the Senate will hold a vote on that.
In addition, Trump has said he wants the House-passed bill to include a ban on most mail-in balloting. Trump has criticized mail in ballots for years and used it as a centerpiece of his efforts to overturn his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. A ban on mail ballots would face strong pushback from lawmakers.
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