Rep. Nancy Mace Proposes Trans Bathroom Ban at U.S. Capitol After Trans Woman's Historic Election to Congress
Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware made history during the 2024 election by becoming the first openly transgender member of Congress
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Nancy Mace at the National Defense Authorization Act Committee Conference at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 29, 2023South Carolina representative Nancy Mace introduced controversial legislation that would prohibit transgender people from using the bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity — just weeks after the first-ever openly transgender person was elected to Congress.
On Monday, Nov. 18, the Republican representative introduced a bill that would bar people in the House from "using same-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex."
Mace targets transgender women specifically in her proposal, claiming that "allowing biological males into single-sex facilities, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms designed for women, jeopardizes the safety and dignity of Members, officers, and employees of the House who are female."
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Rep. Nancy Mace departs a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 2, 2023If approved, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House would enforce the rules.
Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware made history during the 2024 election, becoming the first openly transgender member of Congress after defeating her Republican opponent, John Whalen III.
She is expected to be sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025, along with the other new House members.
McBride responded to Mace’s discriminatory attack on social media, writing, "Every day, Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness."
Related: Delaware State Senator Seeks to Become First Transgender Person in Congress
The politician continued to accuse Mace’s resolution of being "a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing."
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Rep.-elect Sarah McBride poses for a photo on the House steps on Nov. 15, 2024McBride said that the House should be focused on issues related to the cost of living and access to health care and child care, instead of participating in "culture wars."
"Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible and that’s what I’m focused on," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Mace has fired off a series of posts on social media to defend her resolution, one of which was a video of her accusing the "radical left" of calling her an "extremist."
Related: Republicans Narrowly Keep House Majority, Completing a GOP Trifecta in Washington
"If being a feminist makes me an extremist or bigot or a monster, I am totally here for it because I'm gonna fight like hell for every woman and every little girl across this country to protect you and keep you safe,” she said in the clip.
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McBride spoke with PEOPLE in an exclusive interview after her historic win, in which she acknowledged that her new position will require her to collaborate with individuals who have routinely voted against LGBTQ+ rights.
"My job is to deliver, and that means working with people who disagree with some fundamental things that I hold dear, but that's the only way democracy works," she told us.
McBride added, "It's not always easy, and I certainly wish that they voted differently. I certainly wish that they saw the dignity in LGBTQ people in our lives, but I have to do the job and the job is to roll up my sleeves, dive into the details and bring people together."
