The Shadow
As the father of three children, I understand the role the parent plays in supporting their child’s growth in education, athletics and health.
I believe the parent is a fundamental partner in nurturing the child’s growth. But this development is usually impacted by public schools.
All three of my children attended public schools for their K-12 education.
Like many parents in Virginia, I remember how concerned I was about critical race theory and gender ideology in 2021 when these issues came to people’s attention, primarily in Northern Virginia.
Some local Virginia public schools adopted policies that seemingly embraced these beliefs. Such misguided policies allowed boys in girls’ sports and locker rooms. Unfortunately, these ideas became a part of some classroom studies.
You may remember the infamous debate between then-gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin and Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe.
In that debate, McAuliffe showed his deference to critical race theory and gender ideology: “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.”
And just like that, his comments sparked national attention on the issues of critical race theory and gender ideology.
Youngkin capitalized on these comments and Democrats’ standing on these issues. His 2021 upset victory was fueled in part from these issues.
In 2024, Trump also capitalized on these issues during his winning campaign.
Following Trump’s election, his Administration has worked to root out radical critical race theory and gender ideology in the federal government.
On Day One, Trump signed an Executive Order entitled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”
This Executive Order defined the federal policy of recognizing two sexes, male and female.
As a result, federal agencies removed any language from agency communications, statements, policies, etc. that promote gender ideology. Among documents removed included the “White House Toolkit on Transgender Equality.”
The Order also barred federal funds from promoting “gender ideology.”
He also signed another Executive Order, entitled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation.”
The radical left’s push to indoctrinate children so that they can change their sex via so-called “gender-affirming care” has had profound consequences on American children.
Troubled minors that undergo such dangerous procedures subject their bodies to irreversible harms. Those who later regret mutilating themselves have no way to reverse the damage and conceive children.
Trump’s Executive Order cracks down on these life-altering procedures.
In response to Trump’s Order, numerous U.S. health systems stopped or downsized their sex change programs for minors.
In Virginia, the VCU Health and Children’s Hospital of Richmond suspended gender-affirming medication and gender-affirming surgical procedures.
Before Trump’s election and his Orders, House Republicans including me set in motion ideas to support pro-parent and pro-children policies.
Republicans’ push against gender ideology culminated in the Parents Bill of Rights Act.
This bill strengthened parents’ access to education curriculum and budget materials.
The then-Democratic majority in the Senate refused to stand with parents and blocked the Parents Bill of Rights Act.
This did not deter House Republicans, as we continue to work to codify the Trump Orders into law.
In the 119th Congress, I voted with House Republicans to pass the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
This legislation protects the integrity of female athletics and ensures that only biological women are allowed to participate in women’s sports programs.
Unfortunately, all House Democrats opposed this legislation. And sadly, the Senate has yet to act on the bill due to Democrats’ use of the modern filibuster.
Later in this Congress, I spoke on the House floor in support of the Protect Children’s Innocence Act.
While managing the procedural rule on this bill, I went toe-to-toe with Democrats in debate to speak in favor of this bill that protects minors from dangerous and permanent life-altering medical procedures.
The bill prohibits federal Medicaid dollars from funding gender transition procedures.
I will also be voting for the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act when it gets to the floor.
This bill strengthens parental consent in situations where a school is attempting to change a minor student’s gender markers, preferred name, and sex-based accommodations.
Radical gender ideology has no business in the classroom, in the locker room or on the ball field.
I will continue to fight the radical left’s anti-parent ideas, vote to protect children from dangerous life-altering procedures and advocate for American families.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.
