Tuberville, Blackburn Push Legislation to Block Biological Men from Joining Daughters of the American Revolution

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R‑AL) and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R‑TN) have introduced new federal legislation aimed at restricting membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to biological women, responding to recent changes within the historic organization that broadened its non‑discrimination policy.

The bill - titled the Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act - would amend the DAR's federal charter to explicitly require that members be biological women who also meet the organization's genealogical standards. The move comes after DAR leadership adopted a non‑discrimination clause interpreted to allow transgender women to apply for membership.

Tuberville: "They shouldn't have to put up with this woke nonsense"

Sen. Tuberville, who represents more than 4,000 DAR members in Alabama, sharply criticized the organization's updated policy, arguing that it contradicts the intent of its founders.

"There's a reason the founders of this group named it the Daughters of the American Revolution," Tuberville said. "They had the common sense to recognize what a woman is; unlike the woke Left that apparently doesn't understand the differences between female and male anatomy. Alabama has over 4,000 members in the DAR, and they shouldn't have to be putting up with this woke nonsense."

Tuberville said the legislation is designed to restore the organization's original purpose and protect what he described as the "legacy and identity" of DAR chapters nationwide.

Blackburn: Founders "would be appalled"

Sen. Blackburn echoed Tuberville's concerns, arguing that allowing transgender women to join undermines the organization's heritage.

"The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded by women for women, and its founders would be appalled that the organization is now allowing biological males to become members," Blackburn said. "This bill would stop the organization from erasing biological reality and ensure it is reserved for the real daughters of the American Revolution."

Cosponsors and Support

The legislation has drawn support from several Republican senators, including:

Sen. Katie Britt (R‑AL)

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R‑ND)

Sen. Mike Lee (R‑UT)

In the U.S. House, Rep. Ben Cline (R‑VA‑06) introduced companion legislation earlier this month.

A number of conservative advocacy groups have endorsed the bill, including:

Heritage Action

Concerned Women for America Action Committee

American Principles Project

Senior Legal Counsel for Independent Women

Alliance Defending Freedom

Background on DAR Policy Change

The Daughters of the American Revolution - founded in 1890 - is one of the nation's oldest lineage‑based patriotic organizations. Membership traditionally requires proof of direct descent from an ancestor who aided the American Revolution.

The organization's recent adoption of a non‑discrimination clause has been interpreted by current leadership to permit transgender women to apply for membership. Critics of the policy, including Tuberville and Blackburn, argue that the change conflicts with the organization's historical identity and mission.

The proposed legislation would revise DAR's federal charter to specify that membership is limited to individuals who are women and who meet the genealogical requirements established by the organization.

What Comes Next

The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate, where supporters say it is necessary to preserve the traditional structure of the DAR. Opponents of similar legislation in other contexts have argued that such measures discriminate against transgender individuals, though no formal opposition statements had been issued at the time of publication.

Senator Tuberville currently serves on the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.