Senator Blackburn proposes bill to restrict DAR membership to biological women

On Tuesday, Senator Marsha Blackburn presented the DAR Membership Integrity Act, a bill that would modify the federal charter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to restrict membership to biological women. The proposal mirrors other Republican initiatives aimed at defining eligibility for single-sex institutions such as sports leagues and shelters. Blackburn’s measure is backed by Senators Katie Britt, Tommy Tuberville, Mike Lee and Kevin Cramer, and follows a similar House bill introduced by Representative Ben Cline.

The DAR, founded in 1890 and composed of women descended from Revolutionary War patriots, recently voted 1,481-984 against a resolution to limit membership to those “born female.” Advocates claim the amendment safeguards the organization’s original mission, while critics view it as targeting transgender individuals. The Senate has not yet taken action on the legislation.