GOP lawmakers urge Obama to keep Trump’s executive order on transgender bathroom access

Republicans on the House floor Thursday urged President Barack Obama to continue enforcing President Donald Trump’s directive to allow transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice.

The GOP lawmakers said they were concerned that Trump had not followed through on his promise to repeal Obama’s executive orders that gave states the power to deny federal funding for anti-discrimination protections for transgender people, including schools.

Trump has said the transgender directive is needed to protect children from predators and other potentially dangerous individuals, including the spread of HIV.

Trump issued an executive order in January that said that schools could not use bathrooms that corresponded to their gender identity and that students could use bathrooms consistent with their biological sex, regardless of their biological gender.

The order did not specifically say how schools could make these changes.

But on Thursday, the House Freedom Caucus sent a letter to Obama urging him to keep the directive in place.

The lawmakers said their concerns are that Trump has not made clear that he intends to repeal the executive orders.

“The White House has not taken action to repeal these policies, nor has the Department of Education,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Our concern is that the Department may still use the directive to discriminate against transgender students in Title IX compliance cases, including transgender students who may have access to restrooms consistent with the gender identity of their parents or guardians.”

Republican Rep. Dave Brat of Virginia said he has concerns about how Trump will implement the directive.

“I’m concerned that this directive will be used as a tool to discriminate, especially against children who may not be fully informed of their gender and who may be vulnerable to predators who may seek to exploit them,” Brat said.

“It would be very irresponsible for the president to ignore the directive.”

A Department of Justice spokesperson said the department is reviewing the House letter and will respond in a timely manner.

“We are aware of the House’s concerns and look forward to working with them on their request to enforce this directive,” the spokesperson said.