Sen. Marshall Votes Against Nomination for Education Secretary

(Washington, D.C., March 1, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. voted against President Joe Biden’s pick to be U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona primarily for his support for allowing boys to compete in girls’ sports. Following the vote, Senator Marshall issued this statement:

“As a doctor and a former coach, I find it un-American to allow biological boys to compete against girls when it comes to athletics. Growing up, sports taught me that there was a level playing field and that we all had equal opportunity to compete and win. Letting biological boys compete in girls’ high school and college sports is not equal, it doesn’t level the playing field, and it’s certainly not fair,” said Sen. Marshall. “Secretary Cardona’s unwillingness to provide alternatives or confirm he would not allow genetic boys to compete against girls in sports is concerning. It gives me great pause that this is the person President Biden is entrusting our kids with.”

Today, Senator Marshall penned an op-ed for FOX News about President Biden’s efforts to allow biological boys to compete in girls’ athletics, saying in part, “On the very first day of his presidency, Joe Biden took one giant leap backward for women’s rights when he issued an executive order forcing schools to allow student athletes to compete in sports based on their gender identity instead of their biological sex… While those who are transgender are entitled to their rights, so too are girls who are just looking for an opportunity to compete against their peers, the genetically female ones… There is nothing fair about President Biden’s executive order. It shows no common sense and will bring about the destruction of women’s sports.”

On Saturday, Senator Marshall appeared on the Mike Huckabee Show and discussed the issue as well. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch a portion of the interview.

Background:

Last month, Senator Marshall joined Senator Mike Lee (UT) to introduce the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, legislation to protect athletic opportunities for female athletes. The legislation comes just days after President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order forcing schools to allow student athletes to compete in sports based on their gender identity instead of their biological gender. Senator Marshall spoke about the legislation during an interview on Newsmax. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch Senator Marshall’s interview.

Additionally, Senator Marshall introduced a budget amendment to address this issue. You may read the amendment HERE. At the committee hearing on Mr. Cardona’s nomination, Senator Marshall asked him if there were other alternatives than allowing boys to compete against girls in sports. Mr. Cardona testified that the Supreme Court has spoken that discrimination against transgender students is illegal. However, the Supreme Court has not ruled on the specific issue of Title IX and sports. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch the exchange.

###