Rubio, GOP senators urge Biden admin reject proposal eliminating ‘mother, father’ at HHS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, along with other Republican senators, called on President Joe Biden to reject a proposal that would eliminate gender-specific words from federal regulations associated with the Child Support Enforcement program, the Daily Caller reported.

Republican senators urged Biden to reject the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ proposal of a rule that would eliminate gender-specific words like “mother” and “father” from federal regulations.

The proposed rule aims to replace the gender-specific term “paternity” with the gender-neutral term “parentage” throughout the Child Support Services Program to “be inclusive of all family structures served by the child support services program,” according to the proposal.

In a letter obtained by the Daily Caller, Rubio, along with Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer, Indiana Sen. Mike Braun, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith called on Biden to reject the proposed rule.

The outlet reported that in the letter, the senators blasted the Biden administration for using the Child Support Enforcement program to “advance radical gender ideology, rather than strengthening its ability to help families”

“Your administration’s ‘Don’t Say Dad’ agenda is not only confusing, it does nothing to help single parents who are struggling to provide for their children,” the letter said. “We urge you to rescind the proposed rule, acknowledge the essential role that mothers and fathers play in families, and focus your efforts on more important matters.”

“Americans understand that mothers and fathers are different, and that both parents play vital roles in raising their children,” the letter continued. “Federal regulations should uphold this fact rather than erasing the reality of biological sex in the law at the behest of left-wing activists.”