Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina has introduced legislation aimed at banning transgender women from using women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill.
Mace, a Republican in her second term, introduced the bill on Monday evening.
The proposed legislation would prevent members of Congress, as well as officers and employees of the House of Representatives, from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.”
This move comes just before Democrat Sarah McBride is set to be sworn in this January, marking a historic moment as she became the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November.
“Sarah McBride doesn’t get a say. I mean, this is a biological man,” the South Carolina Republican told reporters on Monday, adding that the lawmaker “does not belong in women’s spaces, women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, period, full stop.”
Later on X, Mace wrote, “Never thought this would have to happen, but we are introducing a resolution banning biological men from entering protected spaces for women on Capitol grounds. Protecting biological women starts here and it starts now”.
McBride, congresswoman-elect reacted to the measure in a post via X: “This is 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,” she continued.
“Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Similar bans aimed at restricting trans individuals from using bathrooms that align with their gender identities, especially in schools, have generated significant controversy in recent years.
Supporters claim these measures are designed to protect students, while critics argue they are dehumanizing and unnecessary.
If the resolution passes, the House sergeant-at-arms would be responsible for enforcing it.
Notably, the measure would not need to be approved by the Senate or receive the president’s signature.
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