Title IX LGBTQ+ protections under fire in Republican rules package

House Republicans have unveiled a proposed rules package for the 119th Congress that includes measures that would limit Title IX protections for transgender people.

of Proposed rules package – The next Congress is scheduled to vote this Friday (January 3) – The bill includes changes to the order of operation of the House, including making it harder to remove the Speaker, renaming committees, and abolishing Congress. Contains numerous changes. Authorizes the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion and committees to implement electronic voting.

In addition to this, the 36-page package fast-tracks several Republican bills, including amending immigration law, banning the moratorium on fracking, and defining Title IX protections based solely on biological sex. It also prepares for consideration, effectively preventing protection. From discrimination against trans athletes.

The section focused on Title IX reads: “Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to provide that for purposes of determining compliance with Title IX of the Act in athletics, gender shall be recognized solely on the basis of a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” .”

Title IX is a landmark piece of civil rights law that protects people from gender-based discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial aid, and is best known for ensuring gender equality in college sports. I am.

This law states: “No person in the United States shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance on the basis of sex.” It says “No.”

In April 2024, President Joe Biden finalized new anti-discrimination rules first proposed in 2022. The rule aims to protect people in public schools from discrimination and harassment based on gender, explicitly protects LGBTQ+ students, and explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or sexual orientation. It is said that Gender identity.

But several Republican-controlled states have vowed to veto the law, calling it “illegal, undemocratic and out of touch with reality” and saying it will “endanger women.” sued the Biden administration.

In December, ahead of the inauguration of the next Donald Trump administration, the Department of Education Reversing Title IX Rule Changes.

“The Department recognizes that there are multiple pending cases related to the application of Title IX in the context of gender identity, including cases related to the application of Title IX to athletic eligibility standards in different factual situations. ” said a press release from the ministry. State on December 26th.

“In consideration of the comments received and the various pending litigation, the Department has decided not to regulate on this issue at this time. Accordingly, the Department hereby withdraws the Department of Athletics’ NPRM and terminates this rulemaking process. End.”

Notably absent from the new rules package is Republican Rep. Nancy Mace’s anti-transgender restroom ban at the Capitol, which she previously said was “guaranteed” by House Speaker Mike Johnson. [her] It will be included in the House rules package. ”

South Carolina Rep. Mace introduced a resolution in November that would ban the use of “same-sex facilities other than facilities corresponding to biological sex,” targeting a transgender lawmaker, incoming Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride. did.

Mace acknowledged that he proposed the ban solely for McBride, who will become the first transgender lawmaker ever to serve in Congress during Friday’s swearing-in ceremony.

When the resolution was passed, ironically on Trans Day, Mr Johnson said: “Gender-separated facilities such as restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms in the Capitol and the Capitol are reserved for individuals of their biological sex. Women should be given women-only spaces. ”

But it’s not included in the new rules package, leaving trans lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill in limbo.