[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF TITLE IX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today is the 50th anniversary of the passage 
of Title IX, legislation that revolutionized women's sports and women's 
access to education.
  Since the Education Amendments of 1972 passed, women's participation 
in sports has skyrocketed. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, only 1 out of 
every 27 women participated in college-level sports. Today, that number 
is one in five.
  Title IX granted women equal access to educational opportunities, 
including college admissions and teaching positions at postsecondary 
institutions. Because of this, more women are going to college today 
than ever before.
  While this monumental legislation has strengthened our country and 
our workforce beyond belief, it is under threat today. Expanding this 
legislation to include other designations like sexual orientation and 
gender identity goes beyond the intent of Congress.
  It also dilutes protections for women, and in some cases, threatens 
their safety.
  We already knew Democrats were willing to weaponize Title IX when 
they used it to deny due process to students accused of sexual assault 
on college campuses.
  The rights of due process should not end simply because someone is a 
student, but, thankfully, the Trump administration set things right on 
this front.
  Now, new threats are emerging. While the advancements made under 
Title IX have been numerous, the Biden administration is attempting to 
use this legislation to further a progressive social agenda.
  For example, the Biden administration is threatening to hold school 
lunches hostage if K-12 schools do not agree to a slew of controversial 
gender-neutral policies.
  One of these policies will likely be forcing schools to allow 
biological males to compete in girls' sports, something already 
happening at many schools across the country.
  The results are in: It erases women. Let me say that again: It erases 
women.
  Ignoring the biological differences between the male and female body 
is a catastrophe for women, especially in sports. It destroys a level 
playing field and makes women second-class citizens in their own 
sports.
  Even the international stage has begun to take notice as the 
International Swimming Federation voted to restrict many transgender 
women from competing in international swimming competitions. We have 
already seen women's records in swimming and track obliterated by 
biological males.
  Athletes give their all to be the best they can be. It is cruel to 
take the chance of success away from women, especially when it could 
mean losing out on a college scholarship or other important 
opportunities.
  Perhaps even more concerning is the threat these policies pose to 
women's safety. It is completely irresponsible to take away a woman's 
right to privacy and security by mandating gender-neutral spaces.
  Allowing biological males, even if they identify as a woman, into 
women's locker rooms, bathrooms, jails, and domestic violence shelters 
poses a threat to the safety of women.
  I shouldn't have to spell this out for you. It is common sense. Today 
should be a day of celebration, one where we marvel at the gains women 
have made in sports and in education, but the Biden administration's 
actions have certainly put a damper on this momentous anniversary.
  It is time for Democrats to regain their senses, and, once again, 
commit to protecting--protecting--the integrity of women's sports and 
the safety of women. This political agenda is destructive and 
unbecoming of a country dedicated to equal opportunity for all.

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