On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that he is in favor of limiting the use of the Capitol’s single-sex facilities, including restrooms, to people of that biological sex. This would essentially prevent the first transgender congresswoman from using the women’s restrooms in the upcoming Congress.
This week, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., presented a resolution that would prohibit transgender women from accessing the Capitol’s women’s restrooms and other facilities. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del., the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, is “absolutely” targeted by the bill, she said Tuesday.
“Every Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol,” stated Johnson, R-La., in a statement. “All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings, such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms, are reserved for individuals of that biological sex.”
Women deserve their own spaces, he continued.
“I also believe that we treat everybody with dignity, and so we can do and believe all those things at the same time,” Johnson told reporters on Tuesday, despite his belief that “a man cannot become a woman.”
“I’m not here to fight about bathrooms,” McBride stated in a statement posted on X on Wednesday. I’m here to advocate for Delawareans and reduce the expenses that families must bear. Even if I disagree with Speaker Johnson’s rules, I will abide by them just like every other member.
I’ve been working hard over the past few days to get ready to represent the best state in the union in January, so this attempt to divert attention from the actual problems confronting this nation hasn’t distracted me,” she continued.
Although Johnson’s comment doesn’t legally forbid transgender individuals from using gender-neutral restrooms, it does hint to the kinds of regulations that might be included in the upcoming congressional rules package, which would go into effect in January.
In response to a query concerning Johnson’s statement, Mace stated that while she thought the sentiment was excellent, she was still concerned about the enforcement procedures and whether it would be included in the rules package for the upcoming Congress.
Mace stated in an interview with the Washington Examiner in 2021 that she “strongly supports LGBTQ rights and equality,” which seems to be a change from her stance on LGBTQ issues this week. There should be no discrimination against anyone.
“It isn’t a black-and-white issue,” she remarked at the time. I do think that transgender equality, homosexual rights, the First Amendment, and religious freedom can all coexist. As a constitutionalist, I also believe that anti-discrimination measures must not infringe upon religious freedom or the First Amendment.
When asked about her previous statements endorsing LGBTQ equality and rights, Mace acknowledged that she is in favor of same-sex marriage but defended her position against transgender women using women’s restrooms.
You are the issue if you believe that defending women is discriminatory. Before making a vulgar comment regarding genitalia and who belongs in a women’s restroom, she stated, “We don’t care if you’re trans.”
Democrats have strongly criticized Mace and GOP leaders since she filed her resolution.
At a press conference on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., attacked his Republican colleagues, accusing them of “bullying” McBride.
Jeffries informed reporters that the incoming small House Republican Conference majority is intimidating a member of Congress as part of their transition to the new Congress. What are we doing here? Is this the lesson you learned from the November election? Is bullying a member of Congress your top goal rather than inviting her to join this body so that we can all cooperate?
A request for response regarding Johnson’s statement on Wednesday was not immediately answered by a Jeffries representative.
The top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, told reporters Wednesday that he does not support Mace’s plan. “It seems to me that that is discriminatory and it s insulting, it s a deliberate affront, and it s really workplace bullying,” he stated.
Additionally, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, wrote on X that the bill is “unnecessary,” “dangerous,” and “hateful.”
“One half of one percent of Americans are transgender. “Leave them alone and mind your own damn business,” Jayapal continued.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also criticized Mace’s motion as “mean and cruel” from across the Capitol.
“Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness,” McBride wrote on X in response to Mace’s resolution on Monday.
In a follow-up post, she added: “This is a clear attempt by far-right radicals to divert attention from the reality that they have no practical answers for the problems that Americans are facing. Instead of creating culture warfare, we should concentrate on lowering the cost of housing, healthcare, and child care.
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