Cortez Masto Cosponsors Bicameral Legislation to Promote Title Ix, Gender Equity in Education

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) to introduce bicameral legislation to provide more resources, training, and technical assistance to address discrimination in education throughout the United States. The Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act (GEEA) would provide these resources through the Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, more commonly referred to as Title IX, which is the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally-supported education programs and activities.

"As this Administration systemically chips away at women's rights, I'm fighting to protect critical legislation for women like Title IX. Education is the ultimate equalizer, and women deserve the right to obtain an education free from discrimination and harassment. I'm proud to cosponsor legislation that provides resources to strengthen Title IX so sex discrimination in education can one day become a thing of the past."

In addition to Senators Cortez Masto and Hirono, GEEA is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

BACKGROUND:

The Gender Equity in Education Act further advances Title IX by providing more resources to address discrimination in schools. Specifically, the bill:

Establishes a new Office of Gender Equity at the Department of Education to coordinate Title IX activities within the Department of Education and throughout other federal agencies;
Provides competitive grants for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, states, school districts, and related organizations to improve Title IX compliance;
Provides Title IX coordinators with annual trainings and disseminates information about Title IX best practices nationwide; and
Combats discrimination, harassment, bias, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, and other medical conditions.
GEEA has been endorsed by AAUW and the National Women's Law Center.