NBC News Anchor Explains Use of Terms From Supreme Court Ruling

NBC News anchor Craig Melvin told viewers during a morning broadcast that the network was quoting language directly from a Supreme Court decision. "Just a quick note here," he said. The decision upheld laws in West Virginia and Idaho that bar transgender girls and women from school athletic teams.

The ruling was issued by a six-justice majority.

It found that the state bans do not violate the Constitution. Twenty-seven states have enacted similar restrictions on transgender participation in female sports and locker rooms. The court also ruled unanimously that such bans do not conflict with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.

Three justices partially concurred but dissented on other points. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that states may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females in the interest of safety and fairness. "The Constitution and Title IX do not require an overhaul of women’s and girls’ sports throughout America," he added.