U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Penn., speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill to defend the rights of transgender and diverse students in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (Photo by Amelia Twyman/States Newsroom)
WASHINGTON – Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives called for stronger protections for transgender and diverse students on Wednesday and criticized efforts by Republicans and the Trump administration in Congress to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“Today I tell you, rain or shine, we are committed to Chicago,” Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois said at the early morning press conference at the Capitol, attended by supporters including Chicago Public Schools advocates. “We will not betray the core belief that every child is valuable and … deserving of love, care and opportunity.”
Ramirez was joined by Rep. Mark Takano, chairman of the Congressional Equality Caucus, and Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania. All three are members of the House Education and Workforce Committee, which held a hearing shortly after the news conference on parental rights, inappropriate content and legal abuses in schools.
Lawmakers criticized the focus of the committee hearing because it moved away from increasing funding for public schools and strengthening protections for transgender and diverse students.
They also condemned Congress’s recent approach to addressing issues such as gender identity and diversity in education.
Bill on “Gender Ideology”.
Just last month, the House of Representatives passed a main subject The invoice This would result in public elementary and middle schools not receiving federal funding provided under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 unless they require parental consent to update a student’s pronouns, gender markers, or preferred names in their records.
The measure would also prohibit schools from using federal funds to “teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology,” a term defined in a Implementing regulation of January 2025 as “the idea that there is a wide spectrum of genders that are not linked to one’s own gender.”
“The very school districts that have taken steps to ensure that trans children are not bullied, not harassed, and not teased have drawn the wrath of this administration,” Takano said at Wednesday’s press conference.
“I am outraged by this political agenda that attacks the right of school districts and parents to determine the policies of their schools in their own backyard,” he added, as advocates holding signs reading “Hands off our schools” and “We need investment, not investigation” nodded in agreement behind him.
The verdict on trans athletes will follow soon
In addition to the three House members, others who spoke out Wednesday included a parent and teacher representing Chicago Public Schools, NAACP Senior National Director of Advocacy Wisdom Cole and Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President of Equality Programs Ellen Kahn.
Her comments came as the U.S. Supreme Court appears set to rule on two landmark decisions soon cases from Idaho and West Virginia with laws banning transgender athletes from participating on women’s sports teams.
“Congress should address the real problems of families like mine instead of trying to erase the existence of my child,” said Mary Kay Devine, a Chicago mother whose children attend the city’s public schools. “Leave our schools and our families alone. Congress, do your job and I’ll do mine.”
