McMahon, a staunch advocate for traditional interpretations of Title IX, has been at the forefront of the administration’s effort to ensure that federal funding for schools is not lost due to non-compliance with the law. Her response to the Governor’s office came on the heels of a Department of Education announcement that California might face defunding if its policies regarding trans athletes do not align with federal mandates. The administration is currently in a standoff with several states, including Minnesota and Maine, over similar issues.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the potential impact of the issue on women’s sports at an institutional level, with the recent agreement between the Department of Education and the University of Pennsylvania serving as a case study in the administration’s approach. UPenn has agreed to rescind the achievements of trans swimmer Lia Thomas and adopt biology-based definitions of gender, a move that McMahon said serves as a warning to other states.
In the wake of these developments, the debate over transgender inclusion in sports continues to be a focal point for both political and legal discussions, with implications for the future of Title IX enforcement and the rights of all athletes.