Washington (AP) House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated on Tuesday that he supports a Republican campaign to prevent Democrat Sarah McBride, the first transgender elected member of Congress, from using the Capitol’s women’s toilets after taking office the next year.
Johnson informed The Associated Press that men will not be allowed in women’s restrooms. That’s what I’ve always said to everyone I’ve spoken to about this.
“This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before, and we’re going to do that in deliberate fashion with member consensus on it,” Johnson said earlier in the day, citing his Christian faith to highlight the importance of treating everyone with respect and dignity.
GOP Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a resolution on Monday that would forbid members of the House and staff from using facilities that are only appropriate for their biological sex. According to Mace, McBride, who was elected to the House from Delaware this month, is the target of the measure.
One of the main topics of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign was the widespread discussion in the United States about whether transgender persons should be permitted to use the restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. At least eleven states have passed legislation prohibiting transgender women and girls from using the women’s and girls’ restrooms in public schools, as well as in certain other government buildings.
On Tuesday, Mace told reporters, “I will absolutely, absolutely stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s restroom, in our locker rooms, or in our changing rooms.” Johnson promised to include the bathroom clause in any modifications to House rules for the upcoming Congress, the second-term representative noted.
“If not,” she stated. When I’m ready, I’ll take up the mantle.
McBride and other Democrats criticized the GOP attempt as being distracting and bullying.
According to McBride, this is an obvious attempt by far-right radicals to divert attention from the reality that they lack any practical answers to the problems that Americans face. Instead of creating culture warfare, we should concentrate on lowering the cost of housing, healthcare, and child care.
House Republicans are already off to a tremendous start, according to a joke made by Rep. Katherine Clark, the second-ranked Democrat in the House.
On the first day, what are they discussing is where one of the 435 members is going to use the restroom? the legislator from Massachusetts stated at a press conference on Tuesday. That’s what they’re after?
After gaining national recognition as an LGBTQ activist and receiving over $3 million in campaign donations from throughout the nation, McBride was elected to the House this month. In 2016, she spoke at the Democratic National Convention, becoming the first openly transgender person to speak at a major U.S. party convention.
Following her election victory earlier this month, McBride said her triumph was evidence to Delawareans that we have repeatedly demonstrated that, in this neighborly state, we evaluate candidates on the basis of their ideas rather than their personal characteristics.
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This item was written by Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking of the Associated Press.
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