Top Democratic Senators Express ‘Outrage’ and Demand Answers From Betsy DeVos for Revoking Transgender Guidance
Read Full Letter Below
Six top Senate Democrats are expressing “outrage” and their “serious concerns” after Betsy DeVos, in conjunction with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, revoked the Obama administration’s guidance on protecting transgender students. Senators Patty Murray, Al Franken, Tammy Baldwin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Elizabeth Warren, and Maggie Hassan sent the Education Secretary a five-page letter (below) demanding answers within the next two weeks to eleven questions.
Among the questions:
“Please state with specificity the ways in which the learning environment for transgender students is made safer by the revocation of the guidance?”
“How is the withdrawal of transgender guidance consistent with the ‘federal mandate’ and ‘moral obligation’ you describe all schools as having to protect students from bullying, harassment, and discrimination?”
“Do you believe that states and localities may choose whether to comply with federal civil rights laws?”
“Did the Department consult with any advocates for transgender people before revoking the guidance?”
“Who made the decision to revoke the transgender guidance?”
The letter requires a response by March 24.
All six Senators are members of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
RELATED:
Betsy DeVos Under Fire for Saying Black Colleges Were the ‘Real Pioneers’ of School Choice
Op-Ed: A Gay Dad Sounds Off on Donald Trump and Transgender Student Segregation

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |