Nancy Mace launches Capitol bathroom rule before trans colleague arrives: NPR

Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina is defending a measure she recently introduced that would ban transgender women from women’s bathrooms in the US capital.

It’s unclear if the effort will get a vote or if the rules in the Capitol will be changed, but the move comes just two weeks after Democrat Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mace characterized this specific measure as an attempt to protect women’s rights.

“I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces,” she said. “So I will absolutely, 100 percent, stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s room, in our locker room, in our locker room, I will be there and fight you every step of the way.”

But when asked if McBride’s arrival was the catalyst, Mace was clear.

“Yes and absolutely and then some,” she said.

Republicans have increasingly reinforced anti-trans messaging in recent years, and it has turned into a common political talking point. Now the conversation is taking place in the halls of Congress.

McBride responded to the legislation in a post Monday night on X.

“We should focus on reducing the cost of housing, health care and child care, not on manufacturing culture wars,” McBride wrote. “Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible, and that’s what I’m focused on.”

McBride, who won Delaware’s lone House seat earlier this month, said in her victory speech that she was “not running to make history, but to make a difference.”

Soon after, she spoke to NPR about her plans to pass legislation across the aisle, which she said starts with moving “beyond the issues that are in the headlines that are trending on social media.”

“I know it’s going to be harder in DC than it has been in Dover, but I really believe that when we give up this openness to collaborate, we ultimately give up our ability to have a democracy,” McBride added.

How Republican Members of Congress Respond

Firebrand Conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was quick to praise Mace’s measure.

“America is tired of trans ideology being shoved in our face,” Greene told reporters Tuesday. “Women have been victims of this garbage long enough.”

A measure regulating access to facilities in the House would require only a simple majority in the House of Representatives to take effect — no Senate passage or presidential signature required. However, Republicans hold a razor-thin majority in the House and will narrowly control the chamber again next year – meaning they cannot afford to lose many votes to get the bills passed.

Alternatively, to get the measure through without a vote, Mace lobbied to put it in the House rules package, a move she said House Speaker Mike Johnson agreed with.

“And if he doesn’t, I’m going to file a privilege motion to force a vote on it,” Mace added. “This is the last war on women and I aim to end it.”

During a press conference with House Republican leadership, Johnson did not confirm whether he would include it in the rulemaking package, instead striking a more inclusive tone.

“We don’t look down on anyone. We treat everyone with dignity and respect,” Johnson said. “We will provide appropriate housing for every member of Congress.”

Other House Republicans have pushed back, arguing that members should instead focus on pressing policy issues before the end of the term.

“I’m not getting involved in a bathroom debate. That’s not what I came to Congress for,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “We should be doing disaster relief and appropriations bills.”

Republicans campaigned in part to limit transgender rights

While voters consistently cited immigration and the economy as their top concerns this election season, Republican candidates — from President-elect Donald Trump to House and Senate hopefuls — spent a lot of time and money focusing on trans issues and trying to portray the Democrats as too extreme.

The Trump campaign ran ads against Vice President Harris using the statement: “Kamala is for them/them. President Trump is for you.”

Trump has repeatedly addressed transgender rights, saying that during his tenure, public schools, hospitals and health care providers will no longer receive federal funding if they promote ideas about gender reassignment or perform gender-affirming surgeries or care on minors (which 25 states have passed laws on). blocking).

The 2024 GOP platform also lists “Keep men out of women’s sports” as one of its 20 pledges.

A number of prominent House Democrats have spoken out about Mace’s proposal, and several party leaders criticized it during their press conference on Tuesday.

“What they’re talking about there on day one is where one member out of 435… will use the bathroom,” said Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., who serves as House Minority Whip. “That’s their focus.”