Reps Ramirez, Takano, Lee Join CPS Educators and Parents and Human Rights Leaders Demand an End to Republican Attacks on Trans, Black, Brown Students

Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), House Education and Workforce Committee members Representatives Mark Takano (CA-39) and Summer Lee (PA-12), Chicago's delegation members Representatives Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04) and Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Chicago Public School educators and parents, and human rights organizations held a press conference demanding an end to the Trump administration and Republicans' attacks on trans children and Black and Brown students.

During the press conference, speakers highlighted how the targeting of Chicago Public Schools - and school districts that prioritize the well-being of and care for diverse children - is part of the Trump administration and Republicans' playbook to weaken dissent. Whether it is the Mayors of welcoming cities, the Governors of Democratic states, or the leaders of progressive school districts, Republicans are using Congressional time and resources to persecute those fighting against Trump's white Christian nationalist agenda.

"Republicans are bullies. Yeah, I said it. At today's House Committee on Education and Workforce, they are coming for school districts that prioritize the well-being of and care for diverse children. Today, I proudly stand here as a product of public education to say: Our communities won't be bullied," said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. "So while you will see a bunch of scared, insecure, small-minded adults having a tantrum, attacking our children, and rejecting a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, remember that they are afraid. They are afraid of us because we are not afraid of them. We are courageous and stand together to affirm our fundamental belief that every child is precious and deserving of dignity, love, care, and opportunity. So, rain or shine, we are standing up for Chicago Public Schools and demanding House Republicans get their hands off our children, our schools, our cities!"

"As a senior member of the Education and Workforce Committee and as Chair of the Equality Caucus, I am disgusted by this political agenda that attacks the rights of school districts and parents to establish affirming and inclusive policies at the schools in their own backyards," said Equality Caucus Chair Congressman Mark Takano. " These ideological investigations from the administration are targeting policies that parents, school board members, and states have decided to implement in schools. If Chicago schools want to defend the rights of all students, they are right to do so. As we celebrate Pride Month, we remember that Pride is a protest. Our message of inclusion, dignity, and humanity for every student is in itself a protest because our opponents have gone to great lengths to undermine them. We will not go back."

"Today's hearing in the Education and Workforce Committee is just another example of how they use tactics to intimidate and to dismantle the progress we have made. The cruelty and the chaos is absolutely the point," said Congresswoman Summer Lee. "They want to distract and disenfranchise us. And we see it in the attacks on access to quality education. We see it in the attacks on voting rights. We see it in the flood of money diluting our voices. It is our duty to fight back for our students, our democracy, and our future. Our children deserve better, and we will not let up. We will protect all students and not just the ones that look like them."

"As a teacher, a mother, and a future social worker, I am asking our leaders to focus on what is happening in classrooms instead of what is happening in politics. Because while adults debate their talking points, educators are changing lives. The children I serve every day cannot afford for us to get this wrong. At a time when districts are facing budget cuts, staffing shortages, mental health crises, and learning gaps, we should be talking about how to invest in schools, not debating whether Black and other students deserve targeted supports," said Chicago special education teacher and member of the CTU, Taneesha Henderson, M.Ed., MSW

"I have to ask, why aren't Republicans focusing on bringing down the price of gas, ending the war in Iran, making housing affordable, and healthcare accessible? If lawmakers truly cared about our kids, they should focus on preventing school shootings, not what bathroom my daughter uses," said Mary Kay Devine, CPS parent of a trans student. "Congressional Republicans are interrogating the very policies that made my daughter's high school experience safe and joyful. They want to talk about parental rights. What about my rights to send my daughter to a school where she will be seen as a human being and not just a culture war talking point? Gender affirming policies, like those established by Chicago Public Schools, keep all students safe. Instead of defending our schools before Congress, we should be working together to advance policies that protect and invest in ALL students. Congress has a job to do. Congress should be addressing the real issues of families like mine instead of trying to erase my child's very existence. Leave our schools and our families alone. Congress, do your job and I'll do mine."

"What we are witnessing is a coordinated effort to undermine public education in ways that disproportionately harm Black students, Black educators, and the communities we serve," said Wisdom Cole, Senior National Director of Advocacy, NAACP. "For generations, Black communities have fought for equitable access to education that reflects our history, affirms our identity, and prepares our young people to thrive. Today's attacks - whether it's restricting what can be taught, targeting inclusive policies, or politicizing our classrooms - are not about improving education. They're about control and erasure. We will not allow our schools to become battlegrounds for political agendas that silence truth and deny opportunity. We'll continue to defend public education as a space where Black students are seen, supported, and empowered to lead."

"The role of school leaders in Chicago and across this country is to provide safe and healthy learning environments for all students and to prevent bias-based bullying. In turn, they are essentially being bullied by our own Department of Education, which seems to have no interest whatsoever in the well-being of students in our public schools; in fact, they are chiseling away at the programs and professional skills and services that help our schools work for every child," Ellen Kahn, Senior Vice President of Equality Programs at the Human Rights Campaign. "The simple act of respecting trans students, ensuring that they are safe at school, should never be a reason to punish schools. We demand that the Department of Education stop this politically motivated bullying of transgender students, and refocus on making our schools the best they can be for all students across this country."

For the full recording of the press conference, CLICK HERE.