GOP Fails to Add Transgender Athlete Ban to Voter ID Bill

Senate Republicans' attempt to attach measures targeting transgender people to unrelated elections legislation falls short.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:05am

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Senate Republicans tried and failed to attach provisions targeting transgender athletes and gender transition treatments for minors to a restrictive voter ID bill they are seeking to push through Congress. The measures, which have nothing to do with elections, were aimed at putting Democrats on the defensive ahead of the midterm elections. However, the proposals fell far short of the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate.

Why it matters

The failed GOP effort highlights the ongoing political debate around transgender rights, which many Democrats remain uncomfortable discussing. Republicans see the issue as a way to energize their base and portray Democrats as out of touch, even though polling suggests the proposals have less than universal support.

The details

Senate Republicans, led by Sens. Eric Schmitt, Tommy Tuberville, and Marsha Blackburn, tried to attach two provisions to the voter ID bill: one that would bar transgender women and girls from playing in women's and girls' sports, and another that would criminalize gender transition treatments for minors. However, the measures were voted down 49-41, falling far short of the 60 votes needed to advance.

  • The failed vote took place on Saturday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Eric Schmitt

A Republican senator from Missouri who sponsored the proposal to add the transgender provisions to the elections bill.

Tommy Tuberville

A Republican senator from Alabama and gubernatorial candidate who spearheaded the failed effort to bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' sports.

Marsha Blackburn

A Republican senator from Tennessee and gubernatorial candidate who also spearheaded the failed effort to bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' sports.

Lisa Murkowski

A Republican senator from Alaska who said she was "not happy" to see the transgender proposals "tucked into" the elections bill because they were not germane.

John Thune

The Republican Senate majority leader, who cast the effort as an attempt to highlight Democratic resistance to proposals he said were "overwhelmingly supported by the American people."

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What they’re saying

“These are common-sense issues, and they are very afraid of them. They are very afraid of having to vote on these things.”

— Eric Schmitt, Republican Senator from Missouri

“I don't know that that has anything to do with voting.”

— Lisa Murkowski, Republican Senator from Alaska

“Those are also issues that are overwhelmingly supported by the American people, and issues on which there is legislation up here. And so, yeah, they're part of a package, a broader package.”

— John Thune, Republican Senate Majority Leader

What’s next

The failed vote on the transgender provisions means they will not be included in the restrictive voter ID bill that Senate Republicans are seeking to push through Congress. The broader elections legislation, however, remains a top priority for the GOP and is expected to continue facing opposition from Democrats.

The takeaway

The GOP's failed attempt to attach measures targeting transgender athletes and gender transition treatments to an unrelated elections bill highlights the ongoing political debate around transgender rights. While Republicans see the issue as a way to energize their base, the proposals have less than universal support and many Democrats remain uncomfortable discussing them, preferring to focus on issues of more concern to voters like the cost of living and health care.