Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has launched investigations into 18 states and Washington, DC, after women have been forced to compete against biological men in sports. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia are involved in the probe.
The investigations come as the policies are a direct violation of President Trump’s executive order on protection women’s sports and following Title IX’s purpose.
According to the letter, many recipients of federal aid “continue to interchangeably enroll males and females in sports teams that differ from their biological sex (i.e., men in women’s sports and vice versa).”
“These recipients also promote policies that allow shared access to facilities, such as locker rooms and restrooms, based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Under the current and correct interpretation of the law, this is a clear violation of Title IX,” Cassidy wrote. “As Chairman, it is my priority to ensure women and girls have every opportunity to succeed on the field and in the classroom. This means ensuring that states receiving federal financial assistance for educational programs comply with federal law and federal agency directives.”
Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched a Title IX Special Investigations Team (SIT) to protect female athletes. The SIT allowed the Education Department and the Department of Justice to work together to address Title IX violations.
President Trump’s January order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” recognizes that there are two sexes, male and female. “Under my direction, the Executive Branch will enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this reality,” the order said.
