Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott responded to a California bill targeting parents in custody disputes who fail to “affirm” transgender children, calling the new legislation “evil” in a blunt statement on Saturday.
The South Carolina senator spoke to Fox News after the California State Assembly approved legislation on Friday. This legislation mandates that judges in child custody cases evaluate whether a parent has acknowledged a child’s assertion of being transgender.
AB 957 initially suggested that courts, when determining custody, should assess if each parent affirmed the child’s gender. A June amendment expanded the state’s criteria for parental responsibility concerning child welfare. This amendment stipulates that parents must recognize a child’s gender identity to be deemed capable of ensuring “the health, safety, and welfare of the child” in a legal setting.
“The radical Left aims to diminish the significance of parents. They believe your children are theirs,” Scott said during the Republican primary debate last month. He emphasized his commitment to countering this trend, restoring parental authority and shielding future generations from such irrationality.
Scott unveiled a strategy last month, which he claims will bolster parents and safeguard students from various threats, ranging from the classroom environment to digital exposures. This proposal, initially disclosed to Fox News Digital, epitomizes the Republican effort to amplify parental influence over public education. The cornerstone of Scott’s “Empower Parents Plan” revolves around championing children through a “family-first culture.”
Scott, who is the only Black Republican senator, advocates for preserving the essence of “American childhood.” He emphasizes the importance of allowing children to embrace their natural identities without being treated as experimental subjects. He further stresses the need to “save Title IX and women’s sports.” Scott asserts that individuals should compete in sports based on their biological gender.
