Contact Congress about S. 1147: Defining Male and Female Act of 2025

Federal agencies and courts would have to treat sex as only male or female under federal law. Gender identity could not replace sex when applying federal laws.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Defining Male and Female Act of 2025 is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Latest action on S. 1147: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and institutions covered by federal laws that use sex-related words. That includes transgender, nonbinary, and some intersex people, because the bill says gender identity cannot replace sex under federal law. It also affects federal agencies, courts, schools, employers, health care programs, prisons, sports programs, and other programs that must follow federal sex-based rules.

Why this matters: This bill matters because one set of definitions could change how many federal laws work in real life. Federal law often uses words like “sex,” “male,” “female,” “woman,” and “man.” If this bill passed, agencies and courts would start with the bill’s biological definitions when applying those laws. The biggest uncertainty is how far those definitions would reach in specific disputes, programs, and civil rights cases.

Key provisions in S. 1147

• The bill adds a new rule to Title 1 of the U.S. Code. Title 1 helps explain how federal laws should be read.
• Federal agencies and courts would use these definitions when reading any Act of Congress. Agencies would also use them in rules, decisions, and official interpretations.
• The bill defines “sex” as a biological status of male or female that does not change. The new section explains how to decide that status.
• The bill defines “male” and “female” by reproductive systems. Male means the sex tied to producing sperm. Female means the sex tied to producing eggs.
• The bill defines “boy,” “girl,” “man,” “woman,” “mother,” and “father” by using its new meanings of male and female.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1147

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 1147

What is S. 1147?

Federal agencies and courts would have to treat sex as only male or female under federal law. Gender identity could not replace sex when applying federal laws.

How do I support or oppose S. 1147?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 1147?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on S. 1147?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.