The Biden administration’s nominee to lead the Department of Education said the nation's schools have a “legal responsibility” to allow boys who identify as female to compete in girls' sports.
During his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., asked Miguel Cardona, the Biden administration's education secretary nominee, if he believes it's fair for transgender-identifying males to be able to compete in girls' sports.
“I think that it’s critically important that the education system and educators respect the rights of all students, including students who are transgender, and that they are afforded the opportunities that every other student has to participate in extracurricular activities,” Cardona replied.
“I think it’s the legal responsibility of schools to provide opportunities for students to participate in activities, and this includes students who are transgender,” he continued.
Paul subsequently said he believes that most Americans find it strange and unfair that this should be allowed.
“Frankly, some boy that’s 6-foot-2 competing against my 5-foot-4 niece doesn’t sound very fair. I think most people in the country think it’s bizarre,” the Kentucky lawmaker said.
The exchange comes days after President Joe Biden signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to include “gender identity” in their definition of “sex” as it relates to policies and practices through the government.