Tim Walz joins Kamala Harris’ ticket

The first major decision a party nominee makes is their choice for Vice President. And Kamala Harris has made a great decision in choosing Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.

I've known Tim Walz for nearly two decades, first during his time in Congress and as Governor. A…

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 6, 2024

Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota signed a law last year that requires public schools to provide free menstrual products to students in grades 4 through 12. The law has drawn criticism from Republicans, who have dubbed Walz “Tampon Tim.”

How nice of the Trump camp to help publicize Gov. Tim Walz's compassionate and common-sense policy of providing free menstrual products to students in Minnesota public schools! Let's do this everywhere. pic.twitter.com/hk6v8cs8p4

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 7, 2024

The Trump campaign has claimed that the law necessitates tampons and pads in both female and male bathrooms due to transgender boys who may menstruate. Karoline Leavitt, a Trump campaign spokeswoman, told Fox News, “Tampon Tim put tampons in boys’ bathrooms, wants men to play in women’s sports, and supports gender transitions for minors.” However, the Minnesota law does not specify in which bathrooms the menstrual supplies must be located.

I'm thrilled to see Tim Walz join the Democratic ticket.

From providing free meals for schoolkids to implementing paid family leave in Minnesota, he's about doing good in all the ways you can.

He'll be an incredible partner to our first woman president. Let's go win this. pic.twitter.com/gH32Xq1Nco

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 6, 2024

When your theory of governance is ‘attack your opponents and reward your billionaire backers,’ this is all you’re left with.

Policy? Justice? Safety? Good government? Nada, nada, nada, nada.https://t.co/3qzSs5bbFp

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) August 7, 2024

Instead, it mandates school districts to develop plans to ensure all students who menstruate can access free tampons and pads. The law aims to address “period poverty,” the inability to afford pads and tampons, which affects about one in four teenagers who menstruate, according to a 2023 report from the advocacy group Period. Girls and women who struggle to afford menstrual products often feel greater levels of stress and shame, impacting their performance at school or work.

Walz law sparks tampon debate

Minnesota is one of 28 states that currently require schools to provide period products, although not all states supply funding for schools to purchase pads or tampons. The cost of pads and tampons is rising faster than the rate of inflation, adding to financial burdens. The criticism from Trump’s campaign over Minnesota schools’ free menstrual products is receiving pushback on social media, with some noting that providing free pads and tampons to students could help many perform better in school. Dr. Siyab Panhwar, a cardiologist, commented 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!”