Press Releases

Last week, the Obama Administration made a politically-motivated decision to bring the fight over transgender bathroom use to public schools throughout the Nation. The Administration sent a letter to all public schools stating that if the school fails to allow students to use the bathroom / locker room of the gender with which they identify, the school will be at risk of losing its federal education funding.

The Federal Government has no business telling Pennsylvania (or any state) schools how to operate with regard to school bathrooms / showers. Local school districts are fully capable of addressing these issues in consultation with parents and health professionals to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all students. I'm a father of two young daughters and I have a big problem with the Federal Government forcing my school district to act on such a sensitive issue without giving families and local communities the opportunity to comment / decide whatsoever. Adults can choose which retailers to support based on where they stand on this issue, but public schools are an entirely different matter.

At a time when many of our schools already are struggling to stay open, I'm going to do all I can to stop this Administration from holding Pennsylvania's federal education funding hostage. Be assured that I’m actively exploring ways to block the President's mandate.