Ahead of the next congressional session, which will include the nation’s first openly transgender legislator, there has been a push to ensure that incoming Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), a biological male, will not be permitted in female restrooms on Capitol Hill.
The effort was initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) subsequently agreed to implement the ban.
Now, McBride is speaking out on the matter, as TheBlaze reported:
“I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families,” McBride wrote in a social media post. “Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”
McBride went on to call the debacle a distraction from “the real issues” facing the country.
“I continue to look forward to getting to know my future colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” McBride continued. “Each of us were [sic] sent here because voters saw something in us that they value. I have loved getting to see those qualities in the future colleagues that I’ve met and I look forward to seeing those qualities in every member come January. I hope all of my colleagues will seek to do the same with me.”
While McBride might disagree with the policy, plenty of others believe gender-segregated spaces should be protected:
Congress: Keep men out of women’s bathrooms. pic.twitter.com/QsdEqsQXfA
— The Danbury Institute (@DanburyInst) November 20, 2024
Sarah McBride is the first transgender member of Congress. In response to her election, Rep Nancy Mace introduces measure to ban men from women’s bathrooms on Capitol Hill…men use the men’s room period..this should be the end of the story..I applaud Nancy Mace 🤝
It’s not… pic.twitter.com/KxhncW4h8E— Chris from Massachusetts AKA TommyboyTrader (@autumnsdad1) November 19, 2024
BREAKING: Rep Nancy Mace introduces measure to ban men from women’s bathrooms on Capitol Hill.
Sarah McBride, who is the first trans member of Congress blasted the attempt as far right-wing extremism. pic.twitter.com/2suhE4yzJx
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 19, 2024
🚨 PROTECT WOMEN:
Rep. Nancy Mace just introduced a bill to block transgender individuals from using U.S. Capitol bathrooms.
Sarah McBride is the first "transgender" to become a member of Congress.
Who agrees with Rep. Nancy Mace?? pic.twitter.com/Y5FlLCiF4o
— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) November 19, 2024
The Hill provided coverage of Johnson’s remarks on the topic:
Under House rules, the Speaker has “general control” of facilities in the chamber, giving Johnson the authority to issue the policy surrounding bathrooms.
“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,” Johnson said. “It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.”
“Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he added.
Johnson’s statement — which was made on Transgender Day of Remembrance, recognized annually to memorialize trans people who died due to anti-trans violence — comes days after Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a bill to bar transgender women from facilities on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity, a response to the election earlier this month of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.).
And here’s a clip of Mace’s thoughts:
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