Janice R. Andrews
Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, has proposed a bill to restrict transgender women from using women’s bathrooms and other single-sex facilities on Capitol Hill. This legislation comes as Delaware’s Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, is set to be sworn in.
What Does the Bill Propose?
Mace’s bill, introduced on Monday, would prevent members, officers, and employees of the House from using bathrooms, locker rooms, and other single-sex facilities that do not align with their biological sex. Mace argues that allowing transgender women access to these spaces compromises the safety and dignity of female lawmakers and staff.
The bill is intended to be included in the House rules for the 119th Congress, which will be voted on in January 2025. This move is part of a broader conversation about transgender rights in public spaces, particularly within the halls of Congress.
Mixed Responses from Lawmakers
The proposed bill has sparked polarized reactions. When questioned if she was targeting a marginalized person, Mace responded bluntly, calling McBride a “biological man” and stating, “This is a biological man trying to force himself into women’s spaces, and I’m not going to tolerate it.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, another Republican, voiced her support for Mace’s measure but suggested that the ban should apply to “all taxpayer-funded facilities,” not just those on Capitol Hill. Greene, like Mace, misgendered McBride, referring to her as “a biological man.”
On the Democratic side, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota criticized the proposal as “pathetic” and questioned Mace’s motives. “What are you scared of?” Phillips asked. Mace quickly shot back, stating, “I don’t want people with penises showing them off in our locker room.”
Speaker Mike Johnson Avoids the Debate
When asked about McBride’s gender during a press conference, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to engage, instead emphasizing the importance of treating all new members with respect. “We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people,” Johnson said. He added that while Congress had never formally addressed issues like transgender access to single-sex spaces, the matter would be approached thoughtfully and with consensus.
McBride’s Response
McBride responded to the proposal in a post on X, calling it a “blatant attempt from far-right extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing.” She stressed that Congress should focus on issues such as housing, healthcare, and childcare, rather than engaging in divisive culture wars.
As McBride prepares to make history as the first openly transgender member of Congress, Mace’s bill is fueling ongoing debates over transgender rights, public policy, and the intersection of politics and identity in America.
