Palmetto State News

U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has collaborated with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval aimed at countering the Biden administration's changes to Title IX. The resolution seeks to overturn the Department of Education’s final rule titled “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.” This rule redefines "sex" to include gender identity and rescinds due process protections for students in disciplinary procedures.

“The Biden rule single-handedly erodes the protections Title IX created to ensure women have access to a fair and safe experience in all aspects of education. Their attempt to force a far-left gender ideology on Americans is as immoral as it is illegal,” said Senator Scott. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in this effort to uphold Title IX’s intent and provide both safety and opportunity for women and girls simply pursuing their education.”

Senator Hyde-Smith expressed similar concerns: “President Biden’s Title IX regulation stretches the law beyond reason, ignores basic biological facts, and infringes on the rights of parents and teachers. It is a backward rule that only hurts women and girls by stripping away opportunities and rights they have enjoyed for decades. We must save Title IX by stopping this radical rule.”

Dr. Cassidy also criticized the new regulation: “Title IX has been about making sure women have a fair shake relative to men. The new Biden rule radically overhauls Title IX, injecting a progressive gender ideology that removes longstanding protections for women and girls. This is the death of Title IX as we know it,” he stated. “Proud to join this CRA to stand with all women and girls, and ensure they have every opportunity to succeed on the field and in the classroom.”

The resolution has garnered support from several other U.S. Senators including Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Roger Marshall (R-Neb.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Pete Ricketts(R-Neb), Lindsey Graham(R-S.C), Ted Cruz(R-Texas), Eric Schmitt(R-Mo), James Lankford(R-Okla) J.D Vance(R-Ohio).

The Independent Women’s Forum supports this congressional effort.

Opposition focuses on extending Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity protections into Title IX through regulatory means, which opponents argue will allow biological males identifying as females to compete in women's sports.

Additionally, critics claim that the final rule threatens free speech on campus, protects teacher unions over student interests, and weakens due process protections for those accused of sexual harassment on campus. Noncompliance with these regulations could jeopardize federal funding for educational institutions.