Sarah McBride Says Republican Attack on Trans Rights Is ‘Attempt to Mislead’ Voters | US Congress

Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, on Sunday denounced Republicans’ latest attack on trans rights as “an attempt to mislead” voters away from more central community issues such as health care costs and economic inequality.

Delaware’s incoming Democratic House member, who will join Donald Trump’s new administration in January, also pushed back against transgender bathroom restrictions announced by the GOP on Capitol Hill last week.

In a CBS interview Sunday morning, the congresswoman-elect said, “I think we all agree that trying to attack a vulnerable community is not only vicious, but really an attempt to mislead. Every single time we hear the incoming administration or Republicans in Congress talking about a vulnerable group in this country, we must be clear that it is an attempt to distract.

McBride added: “Every time we hear them say the word ‘trans,’ look at what they’re doing with their right hand. Look at what they’re doing to pick the pockets of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Look at what they’re doing and undermining workers.”

McBride’s remarks come in response to Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson last week banning transgender people from using single-sex bathrooms on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity. This follows a bill introduced by South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace, who sought similar bathroom restrictions for all trans people using the Capitol, including members of Congress, officers and staff.

Last Tuesday, Johnson told reporters: “A man is a man and a woman is a woman and a man cannot become a woman. Having said that, I also believe that’s what the (Bible) scriptures teach… but I also believe that we should treat everyone with dignity.”

McBride was asked by CBS if she believes she is being treated with dignity.

McBride said, “I didn’t run for the United States House of Representatives to talk about which bathroom I use. I didn’t run to talk about myself. I ran to deliver for Delawareans. While Republicans in Congress seem to be focusing on bathrooms and trans people, and specifically me, I’m focused on rolling up my sleeves and starting the hard work of delivering for Delawareans on the issues that I know keep them up at night.”

She added: “Every bit of time and energy that has been spent on diverting the federal government’s attention to going after transgender people is time and energy not focused on dealing with the cost of living for our constituents, and we need to be clear, that there’s a real cost to the American worker every time they focus on this.”

Supporters of McBride and trans equality, including other Democrats in the congresshas rushed to defend her.

Illinois US Senator and Democrat Tammy Duckworth told CNN Sunday that she thinks Mace’s attitude is “disgusting and wrong,” adding, “I think we have a lot more to worry about than where someone goes to pee.”