Senate Democrats blocked a bill on Monday that aimed to prevent trans-identifying men from competing in women’s sports. The measure, which required 60 votes to pass, failed in a 51-45 vote along party lines. Democrats largely support the idea that men who identify as women should be recognized as women.

The proposed legislation sought to define Title IX protections based on “reproductive biology and genetics at birth,” a stance that was in place prior to modifications made under the Biden administration. Republicans view this issue as a matter of fairness in women’s sports, with former President Donald Trump signing an executive order last month directing federal agencies to enforce Title IX as it was originally intended when added to the Civil Rights Act in 1972.

Republicans in Congress have argued that males should not be allowed to use Title IX protections to compete in women’s sports. The Biden administration, referencing the Supreme Court’s Bostock decision, contends that restricting boys from participating in women’s sports constitutes discrimination based on sex, asserting that the sole reason boys are excluded is because they are boys.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., remarked, “Around the country we have seen men — biological men who identify as women — take up spaces and medals in athletics meant for actual women. This is a matter of fairness and equality.”

Democrats countered that the measure was unnecessary and represented an overreach into matters that should be decided by sports organizations. Since Trump’s executive order, the NCAA has reversed its stance, no longer requiring that men be allowed to participate in women’s college athletics. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed his agency not to grant visas to males seeking to compete as women in U.S. sports.