WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) voted against Republican’s H.R. 734, a bill that will sanction discrimination against transgender, non-binary and intersex students, under Title IX, undermining the key purpose of Title IX—to eliminate sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. It would make it a violation of Title IX for recipients of Federal financial assistance to allow transgender girls or women to participate in girls’ and women’s athletic programs.

“I will not stand by as trans girls and trans women become collateral damage in Republican’s culture war. This bill attacks and targets trans and other LGBTQI+ kids under the guise of “protecting women.” If Republicans truly cared about women and protecting women in sports, they would restore reproductive health care rights, address sexual harassment and assault issues, and provide more resources in and outside of the classroom. None of these things are addressed in this piece of legislation today,” said Rep. Grijalva. “On the contrary, it scapegoats trans kids, openly discriminates against them and deprives them of the opportunity to fully participate in school activities like the rest of their peers. Our students deserve better.”

Rep. Grijalva spoke against H.R. 734 during the House Education and Workforce markup. Watch his remarks here.