Republican introduces anti-transgender bathroom resolution at Capitol after first transgender woman elected to Congress

A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced a resolution to prohibit transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol, just two weeks after the historic election of America’s first openly transgender person to Congress. The move, spearheaded by South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, has ignited a renewed debate over transgender rights and bathroom access, particularly as the nation prepares to swear in Delaware state senator Sarah McBride, who will become the first out transgender member of Congress in January.

On Monday, Rep. Mace, a vocal critic of transgender rights legislation, introduced a resolution to amend the rules governing the U.S. House of Representatives, arguing that transgender women, like McBride, should not be allowed to use women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, or changing rooms. Mace’s resolution came just weeks before McBride, a Democratic lawmaker from Delaware, is set to take office.

Speaking to reporters, Mace expressed her opposition to McBride’s election, saying, “Sarah McBride doesn’t get a say. I mean, this is a biological man. She does not belong in women’s spaces, women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, period, full stop.” Mace’s remarks have sparked backlash from LGBTQ rights groups, who argue that such policies are discriminatory and harmful to transgender individuals.

In response, McBride posted a statement on social media, addressing the remarks made by Mace and others in opposition to her election. “Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully,” McBride wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”

McBride continued in another post, criticizing the resolution as part of a broader right-wing effort to distract from more pressing national issues. “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,” McBride wrote. “We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, healthcare, and childcare, not manufacturing culture wars.” She added, “Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible, and that’s what I’m focused on.”

Mace, however, remained firm in her stance. During a subsequent appearance on CNN, she was asked if her proposed resolution targeted a marginalized group. “This is a biological man trying to force himself into women’s spaces, and I’m not going to tolerate it,” Mace responded, reinforcing her position that transgender women should be excluded from women’s spaces.

Mace, who made history in 1999 as the first woman to graduate from the Citadel, South Carolina’s military college, later drew parallels between McBride’s election and her own experiences as a female pioneer in a male-dominated institution. “I’m the first woman to graduate from the Citadel’s Corps of Cadets,” Mace said. “If some guy in a skirt came by and said, ‘No, that’s my achievement,’ I’m going to be there and standing in the way and saying, ‘Hell no.’ I’m not going to allow men to erase women or women’s rights.” Mace’s comments reflect her broader efforts to position herself as a defender of women’s rights, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which has prompted many in the GOP to reconsider their approach to female voters.

While McBride did not highlight the historic nature of her campaign, her election was widely seen as a milestone for transgender representation in U.S. politics. On the campaign trail, McBride focused on issues such as paid family and medical leave, raising the state minimum wage, and securing union support. However, she also emphasized the need for respect for all individuals, including the LGBTQ community, saying that every constituent deserves a member of Congress who respects them and their families.

Mace’s resolution is part of a broader wave of legislation introduced by conservative lawmakers to limit transgender people’s rights, particularly in relation to bathroom access. Similar bathroom bills targeting transgender individuals have been debated and passed in several states in recent years, especially in schools. Proponents of such measures argue that they are necessary to protect students, while critics argue that they are discriminatory, dehumanizing, and unnecessary.

In 2023, Republican-controlled state legislatures passed several bills restricting transgender students’ access to restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), 2023 saw the highest number of “bathroom bills” introduced across the U.S., marking what the HRC called the largest anti-transgender legislative push in recent history. Just last week, the Ohio Senate passed its own bathroom bill, which is now awaiting the signature of Republican Governor Mike DeWine.

The introduction of Mace’s resolution, coming so soon after McBride’s election victory, underscores the ongoing culture wars surrounding transgender rights, particularly when it comes to bathroom access. As transgender rights continue to be a flashpoint in American politics, the future of such proposals—and their impact on transgender individuals—remains uncertain. McBride’s election marks a significant moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights, but Mace’s resolution indicates that the battle over transgender rights is far from over, particularly in the halls of Congress.