Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., proposed legislation on Wednesday aimed at blocking President Obama’s new guidelines that require schools to let transgender students use the restrooms of their choice, or risk losing federal funding.
Messer’s bill would put into U.S. law that schools can’t lose their funding for failure to comply, and Messer said that step is needed to stop the federal government’s overreach into local issues.
“Everyone on both sides of this debate should be treated with respect,” Messer said. “And, through public discourse, I believe we can come to a solution that protects the privacy and dignity of everyone involved.”
“But, it’s irresponsible for the Obama administration to begin this social experiment in the bathrooms of our nation’s elementary schools,” he added. “Decisions of this magnitude should be made at the state and local level by people who will put the interest of our kids ahead of political ideology.”
Republican anger over the issue prompted 73 GOP lawmakers to write a letter to the Obama administration asking for clarification on the guidance. Among other things, it asked what steps might be taken against school officials who don’t comply, whether there will be any accommodation for rights of conscience, and all the steps school staff must take to comply.
The lawmakers demanded a reply to the letter by May 30.
Messer’s bill is the Prohibiting the Usurpation of Bathroom Laws through Independent Choice School Act, or the PUBLIC School Act.
The bill says it “shall not be unlawful under any federal law” for state or local authorities to “enforce a policy regarding the use of sex-segregated bathrooms, or sex-segregated locker rooms, of educational institutions on the basis of gender identity.”
It also holds that federal financial aid “may not be reduced or denied” because local authorities set up their own policies on the use of these facilities.
Messer’s bill is co-sponsored by 10 House Republicans. Read it here:
