Recently, several House Democrats have distanced themselves from their party’s stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports. With the midterm elections nearing, this issue has gained attention. Representatives Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell, both Democrats from Alabama, allied with Republicans to support an amendment to the defense policy bill. This amendment aims to prohibit biological males from participating in women’s sports within schools operated by the Department of Defense.
This decision marks a significant shift for the Alabama Democrats, as they previously opposed similar bills. The shift may be influenced by redistricting changes that affect their re-election chances. Figures’ district, in particular, gained more GOP voters, making his re-election challenging. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has targeted him for the upcoming elections.
Sewell’s district, centered around Birmingham, remained unchanged, yet she still broke from Democratic leadership regarding the amendment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and 202 other Democrats opposed the measure, while Republicans unanimously favored it.
Both Figures and Sewell had earlier opposed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which restricted biological males from participating in female sports in federally funded schools. Their recent change of stance comes amid a broader division within the Democratic Party on transgender sports participation, with polls showing widespread opposition across the public spectrum. A 2025 New York Times/Ipsos poll indicated that nearly 80% of Americans opposed biological males competing in women’s sports, with significant agreement among Democrats.
The NRCC criticized Figures and Sewell, suggesting their votes reflect political expediency rather than a genuine change of heart. They argue that Alabama voters will remember these decisions during the upcoming elections.
Alabamians know Figures and Sewell support Democrats’ radical agenda of allowing men to compete in women’s sports and will hold them accountable at the ballot box in November,said NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson.
Figures maintained his consistent opposition to men participating in women’s sports, citing concerns over the potential impact of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. He argued the act could lead to invasive procedures without proper safeguards.
Representatives Don Davis of North Carolina and Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez from Texas also aligned with Republicans on this issue. They often support Republican bills, although Davis recorded a present vote on the related Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
The amendment, sponsored by Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, intends to safeguard women’s sports. Mace argued, “Men are not women. Men will never become women. Yet male athletes are stealing medals, invading locker rooms, and putting girls in the hospital, all in the name of gender ideology. Our NDAA amendment would end this nonsense.”