Whip Tom Emmer says as ‘coach and father’ protecting women in sports from the ‘madness’ of men competing with them is crucial: Republicans join forces with ex-athlete Riley Gaines who says they are ‘betrayed ‘ is by the Democrats

House Republican Whip Tom Emmer says protecting women in sports is critical and called it “madness” that biological males are allowed to compete with women.

The Minnesota father of seven – including a daughter who played sports – told DailyMail.com during an exclusive interview that he will not stop fighting for fairness on the field.

The top lawmaker said that even though Republicans in the House of Representatives have their hands full with impeachment, foreign aid funding, border security and more, voters also really want their daughters to have equal opportunities on the court, on the field or on the athletics track.

‘We should never have had to deal with this. But it is madness that men are allowed to participate in women’s sports.’

Emmer, who coached a coed hockey team for more than two decades, said boys and girls “didn’t dress in the same locker room, but they could play together” until puberty.

“But they reach a certain age and break up, because women again have to have their own opportunities, but also the risk of injury, and that just increases dramatically.”

Emmer and a group of other members and activists gathered on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

The event featured women who were forced to compete against biological males in crucial competitions and championships for which they often trained for years.

Riley Gaines, former college swimmer and ambassador for the Independent Women’s Forum, spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com about how she feels “betrayed” by Democrats.

‘I feel betrayed by that party. I feel belittled, I feel humiliated. I feel mocked by what the Democrats are doing and how they are treating women.”

“There is a legitimate fear that the integrity of the sport will be completely lost, not even just women’s sport, the integrity of the sport.”

‘Because the beauty of sport lies in a foundation of honesty. And that’s just being dismantled right now,” Gaines continued.

Gaines famously competed against Lia Thomas, a biological man who identifies as a woman, who won the 2022 NCAA Swimming Championships.

Riley Gaines competed against Lia Thomas, born William Thomas, in an NCAA competition

Former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas and Kentucky’s Riley Gaines after finishing tied for 5th in the 200 freestyle final

The members of the Independent Women’s Forum take action against men who fight against women

Emmer and House GOP leadership have been great partners in protecting women’s sports, Gaines told DailyMail.com.

“He’s been a real leader in this,” she said, adding, “he was an athlete, his children and daughter were athletes, I believe he was a coach at one time, so you know, he has a role in game. ‘

Last April, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act along party lines.

The bill is according to the Edition“ensures that biological women compete with other biological women in women’s competitive sports funded through Title IX.”

Gaines applauded the bill, calling it “critical to protecting not only K through 12, but also the most elite levels like the Olympics.”

“Those girls deserve to compete as fairly as any other female athlete.”

During the USA Volleyball junior qualifying tournaments, Macy Petty, an NCAA volleyball player and YWA ambassador, was forced to compete against a male athlete who identified as a woman.

Petty, who joined Emmer at the Wednesday event, also told DailyMail.com that Republicans have recently made significant progress to protect female athletes.

“I am honored to join Majority Whip Emmer in recognizing female athletes, many of whom feel let down by their schools and the NCAA, jeopardizing the safety and opportunity to compete on a level playing field to accommodate the wishes of a few,” she said.

“We hope to continue to advance women’s sports and women’s rights by challenging policies that allow men to invade our spaces and our competition.”