Education Secretary Cardona repeatedly declines to define 'woman'

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona repeatedly refused to define the term "woman" when prompted by a Republican lawmaker during a Tuesday congressional hearing.

Appearing before the House Appropriations Committee, Cardona sought to defend proposed rule changes from the agency that would bar schools from imposing blanket bans on transgender participation in sports. The administration unveiled the proposed guidelines earlier in April, with Cardona asserting that "Every student should be able to have the full experience of attending school in America, including participating in athletics, free from discrimination."

Georgia Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde, during the hearing, pressed Cardona on his agency's definition of the term "woman," though the secretary declined to directly answer his line of questioning directly multiple times.

"So what's the definition of a woman? You haven't given me that. You haven't answered my question," Clyde said, per Fox News, prompting Cardona to demur and call the matter "secondary" to his role.

"My question’s not secondary, my question is very simple. What does HHS say the definition of a woman is?" the GOP lawmaker retorted. Again, Cardona did not directly answer, instead insisting that equal access to opportunities for students was paramount to his job.

"Do you believe that a biological male who self-identifies as a woman should be allowed to compete in women's sports?" an agitated Clyde pressed. Again, Cardona demurred.

The exchange between the pair continued, with Clyde asking pertinent questions as to the safety of female students under the proposed guidelines, with the secretary merely reasserting the importance of equal access.

"What is a woman?" has become a common refrain from opponents of transgender initiatives, with many asserting that the movement is undermining the experiences of biological females.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.