U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, has sent a letter demanding that USA Fencing retract its policy allowing males to compete in women’s fencing – this after female fencer Stephanie Turner refused to compete against a male competitor last week, instead taking a knee and forfeiting the match.
As reported by OutKick, Cruz wrote, “It has come to my attention that USA Fencing is still permitting men to compete in women’s fencing in violation of federal law.”
While USA Fencing is an independent organization that does not receive federal funds, it is the National Governing Body (NGB) for fencing in the U.S. According to Cruz, that means USA Fencing must comply with federal law – notably, President Donald Trump’s executive order that bans transgender athletes from women’s sports – or risk losing its NGB status.
“Male fencers naturally possess inherent advantages over potential female competitors. Men tend to be taller, have greater muscle mass, and more testosterone – all advantages for fencing movements like lunges, jumping, or leg power measures,” the letter states.
Hellbound and Down 