Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, has garnered attention for his 2023 education law, which mandates that schools provide free menstrual supplies to students in grades 4 through 12. This legislation has come under scrutiny from the Trump campaign, which contends that it requires schools to make tampons and pads available in both female and male bathrooms, citing the needs of transgender boys who may menstruate. The hashtag #TamponTim began trending on social media on August 6, coinciding with Walz’s selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate for the Democratic presidential ticket.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, criticized Walz, stating that “as a woman, there is no greater threat to a woman’s health than leaders who support putting tampons in men’s bathrooms in public schools.” In an email statement to CBS MoneyWatch, she claimed that Walz is attempting to reshape Minnesota to mimic California, accusing him of supporting policies such as allowing men to compete in women’s sports and gender transitions for minors.
However, the Minnesota law does not specify where menstrual supplies must be placed within schools. Instead, it requires districts to devise plans to ensure all menstruating students can access free tampons and pads, as explained by Lacey Gero, director of government relations at the advocacy group Alliance for Period Supplies. This organization advocates for the availability of free menstrual products in schools, prisons, and other institutions while also pushing for the elimination of the tampon tax.
The issue of “period poverty,” where individuals cannot afford menstrual products, remains prevalent among girls. A recent study revealed that roughly one in four teenagers who menstruate struggle with the cost of period supplies. Gero commented that this law is necessary, as many students across the nation express the need for such resources, and it brings attention to an often-overlooked issue.
When Walz signed the education bill last year, which allocated $2.3 billion to enhance education funding and included provisions for early childhood education and civics courses, he emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, “We’re leaving no one behind.”
Criticism of Walz’s initiative highlights ongoing stigmas associated with menstruation. Gero pointed out that girls and women who cannot afford menstrual products experience heightened stress and shame, impacting their academic and professional performances. A study from St. Louis found that two-thirds of low-income women struggled to afford menstrual products, many resorting to makeshift alternatives.
Minnesota is among 28 states requiring schools to provide menstrual products, though not all states offer financial assistance for purchasing these supplies. In contrast, a recent attempt to introduce similar measures in Florida was thwarted when Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed funding for free menstrual supplies.
Rising prices for menstrual products further exacerbate financial challenges for those who need them. Since 2019, the average cost of a box of tampons has surged by 36% to $8.29, while pad prices have increased by 41%. In comparison, the consumer price index increased by 21% during the same timeframe.
Amid these developments, Trump’s campaign’s criticism of Minnesota’s free menstrual products has faced backlash on social media, with various users arguing that ensuring access to these supplies can enhance students’ academic performance. Notably, cardiologist Dr. Siyab Panhwar remarked on X, “Tim Walz passed a law requiring free sanitary products to be available in all schools for kids. What a monster! How dare we make sure our kids are taken care of!”