Legislation that aimed to bar transgender women and girls nationwide from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes failed to advance Monday night in a divided Senate as Democrats stood united against an issue that Republicans leveraged in last year's elections.

Legislation to prevent transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports failed to advance in the Senate Monday after all Democrats voted against it. The Protection of

Senate Democrats on Monday night blocked a GOP bill to halt federal funding for schools that allow transgender women and girls to participate in girls' and women's sports.