Rep. Newhouse backs school board’s Title IX complaint over WA’s ‘unacceptable’ trans athlete policies

Washington Representative Dan Newhouse (R-4th District) is backing a Title IX complaint regarding transgender athletes competing in sports.

Newhouse announced, via X Wednesday, that he met with Kennewick School Board member Josh Miller regarding the school district’s action against the state of Washington “for policies and practices leading to sex-based discrimination in Washington state schools and student athletics,” as written in the Title IX complaint.

In his post, Newhouse stated he is working to open a federal investigation.

“I am currently working with the White House and Department of Justice to open a federal investigation into this unacceptable standard that continues to threaten the safety of young female athletes in Central Washington,” he wrote.

Just sat down with Kennewick School Board Member Josh Miller and his family to hear about the school district’s Title IX complaint against the state of Washington on biological males competing against biological females in our community. I informed them I am currently working… pic.twitter.com/5XzBmzK10k

— Rep. Dan Newhouse (@RepNewhouse) April 2, 2025

Kennewick School Board concerned WA policies will impact federal funding

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) website states: “Public schools must allow all students to participate in physical education and athletics that correspond to their gender identity.”

Board members claim the policy is harmful to young women and violates the executive orders issued by President Donald Trump, therefore jeopardizing the district’s federal funding.

The complaint also notes that at least one biological male is competing against biological females in high school track. The board members noted the person won the 2024 girls’ state 400m title, which led to their team winning the girls’ state 2A track title.

“Not only does his current inclusion in the 2025 season directly violate title IX and President Trump’s Executive Orders, but it is also ‘demeaning, unfair, and dangerous’ to the young women with whom he competes, and ‘denies (them) the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports,'” the complaint states.

Complaint lists additional areas of concern

Other areas of conflict are also listed in the complaint, including restroom and locker room access, participation based on gender identity, gender ideology and pronoun use state requirement, and parental rights state requirement.

The board — seeking assurance of federal funding, guidance regarding the school board’s control of the issue, and an investigation of civil rights and parental rights violations — now has the support of Rep. Newhouse.

OSPI’s website proclaims, “Civil rights laws prohibit discrimination and discriminatory harassment on the basis of gender expression and gender identity in Washington public schools. All students have the rights to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school.”

Adding, “Washington public schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including transgender and gender-expansive students.”

Follow Julia Dallas on X. Submit news tips here.