Congressional Democrats React to Supreme Court Ruling on Transgender Athletes

Congressional Democrats are keeping quiet about their potential actions after the Supreme Court’s decision affecting transgender athletes. This issue continues to divide the party in the run-up to the November midterm elections.

The court ruled that states may prevent biological males from joining girls’ and women’s school sports teams. This decision supports laws in Idaho and West Virginia and maintains similar laws in 25 other states basing participation on biological sex. The ruling pleased Republicans but left unchanged states that allow biological males on such teams.

Progressive Democrats criticized the decision, but most elected officials did not release public statements. None outlined a legislative response. Young women demonstrate outside the Supreme Court as the court upheld state laws barring transgender athletes from competing in girls and women’s school sports in Washington, D.C., June 30, 2026. (AFP via Getty Images)

Political Reactions

Rep. Sarah Jacobs, D-Calif., expressed support for transgender youth in a social media video. I want every trans kid to know that there are people here in Congress fighting for you, she stated. As co-chair of the Trans Equality Task Force, Jacobs did not reveal any legislative plans in response to the ruling.

The Congressional Equality Caucus, supporting LGBTQ rights, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., also remained silent on legislative plans. The Caucus posted comments on social media criticizing the decision as detrimental to transgender athletes. Fox News Digital contacted their spokespeople for comments but received no response.

Public Opinion

Public surveys show widespread opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports, including among Democrats. A 2025 survey by The New York Times found that nearly eight in ten Americans opposed biological males competing in women’s sports. About 70% of Democrats or those leaning Democrat agreed.

Democratic lawmakers from the centrist wing were mostly quiet about the court’s ruling. Few Democrats facing competitive re-election challenges from Republicans commented, as revealed by a Fox News Digital analysis of Cook Political Report election data.

Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., expressed support for the ruling, stating, The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling affirming that states possess the legal authority to maintain separate sports teams based on biological sex. (David Yeazell, File)

Contentions within the Party

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., recognized the lack of nuance in the trans rights movement concerning women’s sports. She noted that many locals view athletic scholarships as vital for their daughters’ college education.

Senate responses were limited. Requests for comments from many Democratic lawmakers on challenging the decision went unanswered. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not address the ruling.

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., criticized the ruling, calling it discriminatory. He vowed to keep fighting, emphasizing that Discrimination and hate will not win.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., accused right-wing extremists and the MAGA movement of targeting the trans community. She expressed support for trans children and pledged ongoing advocacy.