To prohibit the participation of males in athletic programs or activities at the military service academies that are designated for women or girls.
This bill would require the Department of Defense to ensure that three U.S. military service academies—the United States Military Academy (West Point), the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis), and the United States Air Force Academy—do not allow males to participate in athletic programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. In short, it aims to bar male participation in women-designated athletic programs at these academies. The bill also includes a narrowly defined exception: males may train or practice with a women’s program if doing so does not deprive any female of a roster spot, a participation opportunity, a scholarship, admission, or any other benefit associated with the program. The definitions cover what counts as athletic programs and activities and specify sex as birth biology/genetics.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition scope: Applies to the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy; states that males cannot participate in athletic programs or activities designated for women or girls at these academies.
- 2Rule of construction (exception): Allows males to train or practice with a women-designated program if no female loses a roster spot or any associated benefit; essentially a narrowly tailored allowance in certain training contexts.
- 3Definitions: Clarifies that “athletic programs and activities” include programs conditional upon participation with any athletic team, and defines “sex” as birth biology/genetics.
- 4Government role: The Secretary of Defense must ensure enforcement of these restrictions at the three academies.
- 5Legislative status: Introduced in the House (H.R. 3917) on June 11, 2025, referred to the Committee on Armed Services; Sponsor listed as Mr. Johnson of South Dakota. No Senate text provided here.