Tennessee AG Skrmetti Celebrates Court Block on Title IX Rule Change

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Attorney General, Jonathan Skrmetti, is celebrating after the U.S. Court of Appeals blocked a new Title IX rule.

Skrmetti announced that the appeals court confirmed the blockage of a new Title IX rule that “would have allowed boys into girls’ locker rooms and private spaces.” He emphasized that this rule remains blocked and will not take effect this summer.

Earlier this year, Skrmetti held a press conference to discuss the state’s efforts to defend Title IX. He led six states in suing the federal Department of Education to challenge what he called a “dangerous overhaul” of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools.

In a statement, Skrmetti said, “The U.S. Department of Education has no authority to let boys into girls’ locker rooms. Title IX has always been understood to protect the privacy and safety of women in spaces like locker rooms and bathrooms.

This radical and illegal attempt to rewrite the statute means a woman could face investigation and penalties for complaining about a man in a women’s locker room. Federal bureaucrats cannot rewrite laws passed by elected representatives, and I expect the courts to stop this unconstitutional power grab.”

Skrmetti and Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman have led the effort to block the Biden administration’s Title IX rule, which was set to take effect on August 1.

All three judges of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, including one appointed by President Biden, agreed to block the new rule. The case will be heard in October. Kentucky and Tennessee were joined by Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia in challenging the new rule.