Speaker Johnson says transgender women should not be allowed to use women’s restrooms in Capitol

(WASHINGTON) – House Speaker Mike Johnson said transgender women cannot use the women’s restrooms in the Capitol and House office buildings. This includes locker rooms and locker rooms, Johnson said.

“All sex facilities in the Capitol and House of Representatives office buildings — such as restrooms, locker rooms and locker rooms — are reserved for persons of that biological sex,” the statement said Wednesday.

Johnson continued, “It is important to note that each member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.”

McBride responded to Johnson on Wednesday, saying, “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and lower costs for families. Like all members, I will follow the rules set forth by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”

It’s unclear what will happen with South Carolina Republican Party Nancy Mace’s bill.

Mace said Tuesday that the bill she introduced to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol was “absolutely” a response to Rep.-elect’s accession. Sarah McBride to Congress.

“Yes, and absolutely. And then some,” Mace told reporters at the Capitol.

“I’m not going to stand up for a man, you know, someone with a penis, in the women’s locker room,” she said.

It is not entirely clear how Johnson plans to enforce this policy, but the speaker has “overall control” of the facilities under House rules.

After winning her election as Delaware’s sole representative to the House of Representatives earlier this month, McBride will be the first openly transgender member of Congress.

“This attempt to distract from the real issues facing this country has not distracted me in recent days as I have remained hard at work preparing to represent the largest state in the union in January” , McBride said in a statement Wednesday. .

In response to Mace, McBride has received support from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

“Instead of focusing on lowering costs and real solutions to improve the health and safety of women and families, Republicans are viciously attacking our new member to distract from their inability to govern. We will not tolerate it,” said a message from the women’s party on X.

Jeffries said Republicans are bullying McBride.

“This incoming, slim majority in the House of Representatives at the Republican Conference is beginning to cross over into the new Congress by bullying a member of Congress,” Jeffries said Tuesday. ‘This is what we do? Is this the lesson you learned from the November election? Is this your priority, that you want to bully a member of Congress, instead of welcoming her to join this body so that we can all work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people ?

This is a development story. Check back later for updates.

Isabella Murray and John Parkinson of ABC News contributed to this report.

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