MAINE PUBLIC • March 4, 2025
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King of Maine have split on a bill that would bar transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and have direct implications in a standoff between Gov. Janet Mills and the Trump administration. If approved, it would effectively enshrine President Donald Trump's recent executive order banning transgender athletes from competing on women's sports teams. U.S. Sens Angus King acknowledged that some may be frustrated that transgender athletes can compete on women's sports teams, but he said that the bill would mean that the state could lose all federal funding if a single Maine school district decided not to comply with a federal mandate. "I find it odd that many of those supporting this legislation have exactly the opposite position when it comes to women’s reproductive choices — that that issue should be left to the states — while the question of transgender athletes requires a federal solution which overrides local control," King said.