Mace introduces anti-transgender bathroom bill for Capitol Hill

Washington — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced legislation Monday to change House rules to prohibit transgender women from using women’s bathrooms and other facilities on Capitol Hill, a proposal that comes just before the House prepares to swear-in the first openly transgender member of Congress.

Mace’s two-page resolution would bar House members, officers and employees from using single-sex facilities in the Capitol or House office buildings that do not correspond with their biological sex. Her proposal claims that allowing biological males into women’s restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms “jeopardizes the safety and dignity” of female lawmakers, officers and Capitol Hill employees. 

The House sergeant-at-arms would be tasked with enforcing the measure, if approved. 

The South Carolina Republican’s legislation appears to target Rep.-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware, who became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress when she won the race for the state’s only House seat two weeks ago.

McBride called Mace’s resolution a “blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.”

“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,” she wrote on social media.

But Mace attacked the “radical left” and claimed they are “trying to erase women.”

“Sarah McBride doesn’t get a say in this,” Mace said. “This is a biological man trying to force himself into women’s spaces, and I’m not going to tolerate.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged on Tuesday that the issue of restroom access for transgender lawmakers is one the lower chamber has not confronted before, but told reporters that the House would address it “in deliberate fashion with member consensus on it, and we will accommodate the needs of every single person.”

Johnson said he would not “engage in silly debates” when asked whether McBride is a man or a woman.

“We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people,” Johnson said. “I believe it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect, and we will, and I’m not going to engage in silly debates about this.”

He declined to say whether he plans to include Mace’s proposal in a package of rules that will govern the next Congress. 

“We don’t look down upon anyone. We treat everybody with dignity and respect. That’s a principle that I’ve pursued my whole life,” he said. “And we will take care of this issue of first impression for Congress as we will any other thing. We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress.”

Ellis Kim contributed to this report.