Weaknecht: Make the Promise, Defend our Daughters

January 7, 2026

HARRISBURG – Continuing his advocacy for fairness in women’s sports, state Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) is inviting people to join the “Defending Our Daughters” campaign to show support for the Commonwealth’s female athletes.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to sign the “I Believe” promise to highlight the rights of girls to have a safe, fair and equal playing field; to compete to win games, championships and titles; to earn scholarships; and to have private locker rooms spaces, without males being present.

The promise also reinforces the shared responsibility of all Pennsylvanians, and specifically the state’s leaders, to get off the sidelines to protect and defend female athletes.

“As a father to a daughter and an uncle to many nieces who were dedicated athletes, I have seen firsthand the incredible hard work, discipline and passion these young women pour into their sports,” shared Weaknecht. “To me, the reason we need to protect female sports categories is simple: it’s about fairness and competitive integrity.

My priority will always be to support and advocate for the girls in my life, ensuring they have a safe and fair environment where their hard work is respected and their achievements are possible.”

The “I Believe” promise is available online for people to sign at defendingdaughters.com. Hard copies are also available in Weaknecht’s office, located at the Reading Regional Airport (24 Liberator Way, Ste. F, Reading). The information will be shared with Gov. Josh Shapiro and House leaders to support action on the issue this year.

So far this session, majority House Democrats have avoided votes on three different bills aimed at protecting women’s sports. Senate Bill 9, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support in May, was initially – and appropriately – referred to the House Education Committee. To avoid a discharge resolution, the bill was re-referred to the Health Committee and is now in the Judiciary Committee. House Bills 158 and 1849 were also initially referred to the Education Committee but were re-referred to Judiciary in December, also to avoid discharge resolutions that would force a vote on the bills.

Representative Eric Weaknecht
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Matthew Davis
717.787.3994
mdavis@pahousegop.com
www.repweaknecht.com