A Republican congresswoman is moving to bar transgender women from Capitol ladies rooms just days after the election of trailblazing Rep. Sarah McBride.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) says only people who were considered female at birth should use the women’s rooms and other spaces reserved for woman at the Capitol.
The lawmaker made no effort to hide that the bill is designed to target McBride, the Delaware lawmaker who will take office in January after becoming the first openly trans person to win election to a House seat.
“I’m absolutely 100% gonna stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms,” Mace told reporters Tuesday. “I will be there fighting you every step of the way.”
Right-wing Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Georgia) vowed to physically block McBride from using women’s bathrooms for lawmakers.
McBride countered by urging future colleagues to show some respect.
“Every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully,” McBride tweeted. “I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”
McBride called the bill a distraction and urged Congress to focus on kitchen-table issues.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Republican majority would make alternative accommodations for McBride if the bill passes.
Republicans made political hay over transgender issues during the recent elections, including campaign ads for President-elect Trump that accused Democratic rival Kamala Harris of supporting taxpayer-funded gender affirming treatments for inmates.
Some political analysts say cultural wedge issues like calls to bar transgender women from girls sports contributed to the big swing to Trump among socially conservative demographic groups including Latinos.
Anti-transgender momentum has been growing for several years, with Republican-run states enacting laws restricting transgender people’s options for medical care, sports participation and public restroom access.
One exit poll said 55% of 2024 voters said support for transgender rights has gone too far, a total that jumped to 85% among those who cast ballots for Trump.
