DWC Statement on Department of Education Issuing Final Title IX Regulations

Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Woman’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) and DWC Vice Chairs Nikema Williams and Teresa Leger Fernández issued the following statement on the Department of Education issuing the final Title IX rule, “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.”

The announcement comes after the Democratic Women’s Caucus and advocates from across the country pushed hard to update the draconian Trump-era Title IX rule, which made it more difficult for students to report and get support after experiencing sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination. The Biden Administration’s new regulations would finally restore and expand protections for survivors.

“Every student should be able to learn in a safe school environment, without fear of sexual harassment, assault, or discrimination. Yet for too long, survivors on campuses across the country have suffered under the Trump-Devos Title IX rule, which only made it harder for them to come forward and get the support they deserve. Today, that changes,” said DWC Chair and Vice Chairs. “The new regulations issued today by the Biden Administration are a huge step forward in our fight to advance gender equality on campus. The Democratic Women’s Caucus is grateful to President Biden and Education Secretary Cardona for hearing our calls and issuing regulations that will restore and expand protections for survivors, keep women safe on campus, and clarify protections for pregnant and parenting students. Next, we look forward to the Biden Administration promptly issuing the final Title IX rule on athletics, to ensure student athletes do not face discrimination on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The final Title IX rule comes after the Democratic Women’s Caucus and the Equality Caucus led a letter with more than 60 of their House Democratic colleagues urging the Biden Administration to finalize the Title IX rules following a concerning delay, urging the Administration to “dedicate all necessary resources to finalize these rules as soon as possible.”

###