WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is launching a fight to ensure Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), the first transgender person ever elected to Congress, cannot use the women’s restrooms once she is sworn in next year.
Mace is pressuring House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to add her new resolution banning transgender women from women’s restrooms or gyms on Capitol grounds to a package setting House rules for the next Congress.
“I’m going to stand in the way of anyone crazy enough to let men in women’s spaces,” Mace said.
Mace says she’s pushing the resolution to protect women.
“I’m a rape survivor and I have PTSD from the abuse I suffered at the hands of a man, and I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces,” Mace said.
Speaker Johnson characterized his personal stance on the matter as “a man is a man and a woman is a woman, a man cannot become a woman.” Johnson, however, would not state if he plans to back Mace’s efforts.
Johnson told reporters he will listen to a consensus on the matter.
“We will provide appropriate accommodations for every member of Congress,” Johnson said.
Leaving a caucus meeting, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told reporters Johnson assured her that he will not allow McBride in women’s restrooms.
McBride ran a campaign centered around economic and health care policy. In a statement, she calls 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.”
The House Minority Leader referred to Mace’s push as “bullying.”
“It’s disgusting,” says Rep. Robert Garica (D-Calif.). “I think it’s unfortunate someone’s being attacked who just got to Congress.”
Garcia says he expects pushback from Democrats and even some Republicans. It will take a simple majority to adopt new House rules. Republicans currently have a slim majority.
Mace is vowing to bring her resolution to the floor if Speaker Johnson does not act.
