Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to ban transgender women from using female bathrooms in the Capitol just before the first out transgender member of Congress, Sarah McBride, is set to take office. Mace argued that the resolution is about protecting women’s rights in private spaces and preventing a “biological man” from entering women’s spaces. McBride criticized the measure as a distraction from real issues like bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care. Mace did not reach out to McBride before introducing the resolution, which would be enforced by the House sergeant-at-arms if passed.
The Republican Party has spent over $200 million on ads targeting trans people this year, with a platform that includes anti-trans rhetoric such as banning trans people from sports and gender-affirming surgery. Some Democratic lawmakers have criticized their party for pandering to the far left on transgender issues and contributing to losses in the election. The Human Rights Campaign called Mace’s resolution cruel and discriminatory and accused her of focusing on targeting LGBTQ+ people rather than addressing the real problems facing the American people. Mace plans to reintroduce the measure in the next Congress, where Republicans will retain control of the House.
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