Texas AG Hints At Lawsuit Over Obama Siding With Transgender Students

Rep. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, addresses the opening session of the 82nd Texas Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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In a statement bashing the Obama administration’s letter directing schools on how to accommodate transgender students, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton signaled that the state could bring legal action against the administration.

“Once again, the Obama Administration has overstepped its constitutional bounds to meddle in the affairs of state and local government. Today’s announcement seeking to unilaterally redefine and expand federal law must be challenged,” Paxton said in the statement. “If President Obama thinks he can bully Texas schools into allowing men to have open access to girls in bathrooms, he better prepare for yet another legal fight.”

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also slammed the administration’s letter on Friday, calling the national debate over transgender bathroom use “the biggest issue facing families and schools in America since prayer was taken out of public schools.”

Texas officials began weighing in on the issue this week after Patrick called for the reversal of a new Fort Worth school district policy allowing transgender students to use the bathroom and play on the sports team of their choice. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also indicated that the state would back up North Carolina in its legal battle with the Obama administration over the issue.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory also slammed the Obama administration’s letter on Friday, calling on courts and Congress to “intercede to stop this massive executive branch overreach, which clearly oversteps constitutional authority.”

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