Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his support for restricting “single-sex facilities” in the Capitol, including restrooms, to individuals based on their biological sex. This resolution could effectively ban the first transgender congresswoman, Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, from using women’s bathrooms in the next Congress. Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution targeting transgender women from using female facilities in the Capitol, specifically highlighting McBride.
Johnson emphasized that all single-sex facilities are reserved for individuals of that biological sex, but there are unisex restrooms available throughout the Capitol. Despite his personal belief that a man cannot become a woman, Johnson stated that everyone should be treated with dignity. While his statement alone does not officially restrict transgender individuals from using the bathroom aligned with their gender, it does suggest potential rules that could be included in the upcoming Congress’ rules package set to take effect in January.
Democrats have strongly opposed Mace’s resolution, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemning it as bullying towards McBride. Other Democratic representatives such as Jamie Raskin and Pramila Jayapal have also spoken out against the proposal, criticizing it as discriminatory and unnecessary. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the resolution “mean and cruel,” echoing the sentiments of many Democrats.
McBride responded to the resolution by calling it a distraction from real issues facing Americans, emphasizing the need for solutions to problems like housing, health care, and childcare rather than engaging in divisive culture wars. Overall, the resolution has sparked significant backlash from Democrats in Congress.
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