Federal Judge Blocks Obama Administration’s Guidelines On Transgender Bathrooms

A federal judge has halted the Obama administration’s guidelines on school bathrooms for transgender students after Wisconsin and a dozen other states sued to block them.

The guidelines from the Obama administration directed schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.

A federal judge in Texas blocked them nationwide, saying that the administration had put states in the position of either maintaining their current policies against the direction of the federal government or changing their policies and ceding their authority in the process.

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said in a statement that the ruling stopped the Obama administration from re-writing federal law without congressional approval.

“This is a victory for the rule of law and a clear statement that the federal government cannot force states to comply with an illegal policy that directly conflicts with existing federal law,” he said.

It’s not clear whether the decision will have any immediate effect on Wisconsin schools.

“While national litigation around this issue will continue, it does not absolve a school’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for all kids to learn,” said Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Tony Evers. “I do not anticipate any changes being made to our work to help Wisconsin schools achieve that goal.”

Schimel’s office said it expected the case to proceed to trial in coming months.