Confronting criticism of the Obama administration’s order on transgender students using the bathroom of their choice in schools, the White House is saying it’s actually Republicans who are obsessed with sex.
The White House was responding to a Wall Street Journal editorial that said the government’s school guidance on transgender students showed the administration’s “preoccupation with sex, whether in sophomore year or the fourth grade.” That drew a heated response Tuesday from White House press secretary Josh Earnest, who noted Republicans were responsible for approving North Carolina’s bathroom law.
“It’s Republicans in the Congress that have created a special congressional committee to take a look at Planned Parenthood,” Mr. Earnest said. “It’s Republicans who have sued the administration over the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including as it relates to women being able to get access to their birth control.”
He said the editorial’s accusation was “curious” and didn’t stand up to scrutiny.
Officials in several states have said they will fight the administration’s guidance, which requires schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom relating to their gender identity rather than the gender on their birth certificate. Schools that don’t comply with the directive face the risk of losing federal funding.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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