Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a counterattack against the Biden administration following its attempt to force employers to make accommodations for employees’ “gender identity.”
Paxton’s press release explains that starting in late April of this year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission began working to alter what constitutes workplace harassment in the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Specifically, a rule issued by the EEOC broadened the definition of discrimination by making both state and private employers liable to lawsuits if they did not make accommodations based on an employee’s “gender identity” rather than his or her biological sex.
The issued rule attempts to wrestle employers into compliance with gender delusions such as compelled use of “preferred pronouns,” allowing biological males to access female restrooms, and dispelling any sex-specific workplace dress codes.
Paxton has argued that the EEOC overstepped its authority and is working to circumvent federal law while simultaneously violating the Administrative Procedure Act—which determines how federal agencies issue rules and regulations.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is attempting yet again to rewrite federal law through undemocratic and illegal agency action,” said Paxton.
“This time, they are unlawfully weaponizing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in an attempt to force private businesses and States to implement ‘transgender’ mandates—and Texas is suing to stop them,” he continued.
With the Heritage Foundation joining the lawsuit as a co-plaintiff, Paxton requested that the rule be permanently enjoined and that the administration be blocked from enforcing any facet of the guidance.
“Heritage is proud to join the great state of Texas as co-plaintiff to fight another blatant abuse of federal power by the Biden/Harris Administration—the EEOC’s new harassment guidance,” said Heritage Foundation General Counsel Dan Mauler.
“The EEOC has exceeded the limits Congress placed on their authority, violated the First Amendment, and placed women at risk with their new guidance,” Mauler continued. “We are proud to be defending small businesses and American families from this illegal overreach.”
