Maine GOP pleads with Dems to save state’s education funding after Title IX violation
Republican state lawmakers in Maine are sounding the alarm on the state’s policy allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports, warning that failure to act could result in the loss of hundreds of millions in public education funding. The urgency comes after the Trump administration issued a “Notice of Violation” against the Maine Department of Education for violating Title IX federal law, which is designed to protect the rights of women.
The investigation by the Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Civil Rights was prompted by reports of transgender women participating in women’s sports in Maine, despite President Donald Trump’s executive order mandating an end to the practice nationwide. Trump’s order carries the weight of withholding federal education funding from states that do not comply, potentially resulting in a loss of over $700,000 annually from HHS agencies alone for Maine’s Department of Education.
Maine House Republicans, led by state Reps. Laurel Libby and Katrina Smith, are urging Gov. Janet Mills and legislative Democrats to reconsider the state’s policy on transgender sports participation. Libby emphasized the potential loss of federal funding for schools and the need for a fair and level playing field for Maine girls, while Smith highlighted the physical and mental harm caused by allowing biological boys in girls’ sports.
The Republican lawmakers issued a public call to action for the Mills administration to reverse its current policies on sports eligibility based on gender identity. Despite Mills’ defiance of Trump’s order during a recent meeting at the White House, civil rights attorney Sarah Perry believes Maine would be successful in court on this matter due to the state’s contractual obligation to follow federal civil rights law.
Perry’s analysis suggests that Maine’s reliance on contrary state law will not hold up in court, as the state is obligated to adhere to federal law and Department of Education directives. The pushback from Republican lawmakers underscores the ongoing debate over transgender participation in sports and the potential consequences for states that do not comply with federal regulations.
Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey for comment on the Republican lawmakers’ concerns but did not receive a response at the time of publication. The contentious issue of transgender sports participation continues to spark debate and legal challenges across the country, highlighting the complex intersection of civil rights, gender identity, and athletic competition.
