Slotkin, Murray Lead Colleagues in Honoring Anniversary of Title IX

Statement

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (WA), led their colleagues yesterday in introducing a resolution honoring the 47th anniversary of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Title IX was passed to address widespread discrimination against women and girls in all aspects of their education. Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02), Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined Slotkin as co-sponsors.

"Forty-seven years ago this week, Title IX was passed into law. It was a groundbreaking law enshrining a core principal we believe as a nation: that everyone, no matter their gender, deserves equal access to education," Slotkin said. "Now, Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Administration are rolling back key Title IX provisions, particularly those designed to prevent sexual assault in schools. Weakening protections that allow students to pursue their education in a safe environment undercuts Title IX's legacy and spirit, and contradicts our country's values. That's why I'm proud to introduce, with Sen. Patty Murray, a resolution that affirms our commitment to Title IX on its 47th anniversary, and lives up to our responsibility to students and survivors to ensure equal access to education."

Slotkin has been an outspoken advocate in Congress for strengthening protections for students and survivors of sexual assault, particularly though Title IX. Last week, she co-led the introduction of the Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency (HALT) Campus Sexual Violence Act, which would strengthen prevention and enforcement measures for campus sexual violence, including an increase of Clery Act violation penalties and heightened requirements for universities to inform students of their Title IX rights. The bill also increases funding for Title IX and Clery investigators and requires public disclosure of institutions either under related investigation or requesting Title IX exemption.

In addition to praising the progress made in educational equality so far, the Members of Congress also emphasized the need for Congress to continue the fight to end gender discrimination in the education system and in all facets of American society.

"Without Title IX, countless women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people across the country would be shut out of opportunities that have put them on a path of success in their lives," Murray said. "These opportunities would have seemed unimaginable decades ago, and it's our responsibility to ensure that everyone is able to learn in a safe and fair environment for generations to come. As Secretary DeVos weakens protections for LGBTQIA+ students and works to make it harder for survivors of sexual assault to be safe at school, I'm going keep fighting to expand opportunities for all students. Because at the end of the day, the best way to honor those who fought so hard to pass Title IX decades ago is to keep building on their progress going forward."

In addition to Senator Murray, the Senate resolution was cosponsored by Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), Harris (D-CA), Kaine (D-VA), Duckworth (D-IL), Whitehouse (D-RI), Shaheen (D-NH), Smith (D-MN), Klobuchar (D-MN), Hassan (D-NH), Bennet (D-CO), Coons (D-DE), Blumenthal (D-CT), Durbin (D-IL), Carper (D-DE), Warren (D-MA), Hirono (D-HI), Murphy (D-CT), Merkley (D-OR), Rosen (D-NV), Schumer (D-NY), Markey (D-MA), Booker (D-NJ), Menendez (D-NJ), Feinstein (D-CA), Baldwin (D-WI), Casey (D-PA), Cantwell (D-WA), Brown (D-OH), Leahy (D-VT), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Sanders (I-VT), Peters (D-MI), and Tester (D-MT).

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