The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to deny the Biden administration’s request on Title IX rules may alter the political landscape ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
The ruling prevents the enforcement of new Title IX regulations across 26 states, and legal experts suggest that the outcome could end up benefitting Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, as Newsweek reports.
In August, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration's effort to lift a ban on newly revised Title IX guidelines, which include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. This decision is especially significant as it occurred during the Court’s traditional recess, a period when such rulings are unusual.
Title IX, enacted in 1972, is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. President Biden’s administration expanded these protections in August 2024 to explicitly include gender identity and sexual orientation. However, a coalition of 26 states challenged the changes, delaying their implementation.
The Supreme Court, in a narrow 5-4 ruling, found the administration’s arguments insufficient to overturn lower court decisions that had paused the enforcement of the updated Title IX regulations in those 26 states. These states are led by Republican attorneys general who argue the changes go too far and infringe on state rights. Legal battles in lower courts over the new rules are ongoing.
Michael Popok, an attorney and legal commentator, called the decision a "gift" to Kamala Harris’ campaign. The ruling could galvanize Harris’ support from progressive voters and LGBTQ+ advocates by drawing attention to her alignment with policies that protect gender and reproductive rights. Harris has frequently emphasized these issues, particularly in response to Donald Trump’s positions on abortion and women's rights.
The Supreme Court’s ruling follows its landmark 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which ignited a nationwide debate over reproductive rights. This adds another layer of complexity to the current legal and political environment, which many view as heavily scrutinized by the courts. For the Harris campaign, the ruling strengthens the argument that the future of gender rights, reproductive rights, and educational protections are at stake in the 2024 election.
In contrast, Republican-led states continue to argue that the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX violate states' rights and impose federal overreach. While these lawsuits continue to wind through the courts, the ruling leaves the Department of Education grappling with uneven enforcement across the country.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s ruling but reaffirmed the department’s commitment to defending the new Title IX regulations. The spokesperson noted that schools in 24 states unaffected by the injunction must still comply with the new guidelines.
Legal challenges to the revised Title IX rules are ongoing, with courts expected to review the issue in the coming months. The Department of Education continues to support the changes, which were introduced in April 2024, maintaining that they provide critical protections against discrimination.
The ongoing legal battles could keep Title IX at the center of political debates throughout the 2024 election cycle. As more appeals and court rulings unfold, both sides are likely to continue using the issue to mobilize their respective voter bases.
With the Supreme Court's decision, the stakes in the 2024 election appear to be rising.
Whether the legal outcome favors the administration's Title IX changes or supports the Republican states' resistance, the ruling may prove pivotal for shaping public opinion on these critical social issues.
