The Senate on Saturday voted down an amendment to the Republican-backed SAVE America Act to bar transgender athletes from competing in female sports.
FILE - Attendees listen to Sen. Mike Lee speaking at a "Only Citizens Vote" bus tour rally on passing the SAVE Act at Upper Senate Park outside the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2025 in Washington. The goal of the amendment -- which was requested by President Donald Trump -- was to 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.
" The amendment was blocked by a 49-41 vote, as it fell short of the 60 votes it needed to advance amid unified Democratic opposition. “This is the fourth time that I’ve had this bill on the floor,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who co-sponsored the amendment with Sen. Marsha Blackburn, said. "I'll continue to try until I’m gone." Democrats overwhelmingly voted against the amendment, arguing it targeted transgender individuals and was unrelated to the bill's core purpose of election administration. Republicans, meanwhile, said the measure would have ensured fairness in women’s sports and protected opportunities for female athletes.“Do Democrats stand with women or will they continue to sacrifice fairness and equality at the altar of radical transgender ideology?” Lawmakers also considered Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's ploy to force what he described as "a very simple vote to fully fund TSA" amid the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. His pitch was to only pay TSA workers.. "This is the seventh time Republicans have blocked pay for TSA. Seven. Times. They would rather hold TSA hostage to try to force billions more for an unrestrained, out of control ICE. Despicable." Schumer, when speaking during the debate, said Republicans are playing "political games" while chaos erupts at airports nationwide. "It is unacceptable to say we will only pay TSA workers if it is attached to a bill that funds ICE with no reforms, but that’s what the Republicans are doing," he said. The overall legislation -- Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE America Act -- is a top priority for Trump and his administration. It seeks to require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, a measure Republicans say is needed to ensure election integrity. "THE SAVE AMERICA ACT MUST BE PASSED BY THE SENATE. THERE IS NOTHING THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE U.S.A. Voter I.D., Proof of Citizenship, etc. Get it done and watch all of the good things that will happen!!!"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."We intend to keep pushing forward and ensure that the American people know whether their Senators are for it or against ensuring that only American citizens vote in American elections," Thune said. The House passed the bill earlier this year, but the Republican president has since said he wants additional priorities added to the legislation, including the sports ban for transgender athletes and a ban on all mail-in voting. Democrats have strongly opposed the bill, arguing it could make it harder for eligible voters to register and that instances of non-citizen voting are extremely rare. The debate could stretch for days as senators consider amendments and use floor time to highlight their positions on voting access and election security ahead of upcoming elections. Despite its uncertain path, Republicans have pushed forward with the measure, framing it as a key issue for voters and part of a broader effort to tighten election laws nationwide.SAN ANTONIO — The Spurs are responding to a viral TikTok video that appears to show a woman making some anti-Hispanic comments at Thursday night’s game.“All ofSAN ANTONIO — The death of an employee with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office is being investigated as a murder-suicide, the Bexar County Sheriff’s OfSAN ANTONIO — It’s been a very tense week for the families of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra during the Christopher Preciado trial.Two of Savannah Soto’s brothSAN ANTONIO - We're learning more about a hit-and-run on the Southwest side that left a young tow-truck driver in critical condition.Brandy Salinas' son has speSAN ANTONIO — A dirt bike driver was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Friday evening near the downtown area.The crash happened around 6:40 p.m. in the 600 block
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