Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday sidestepped any specifics when asked about Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), who will be the first transgender member of the House, amid an effort by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) to ban transgender women from single-sex facilities like women’s restrooms within the Capitol.
“We welcome all members with open arms who are newly elected representatives of the people. I believe it’s a – it’s a command. We treat all persons with dignity and respect,” Johnson mentioned at a press convention on Tuesday when requested about McBride.
“And I’m not going to engage in silly debates about this,” Johnson continued. “There’s a concern about the uses of restroom facilities and locker rooms and all that. This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before. We’re going to do that in a deliberate fashion with members’ consensus on it, and we will accommodate the needs of every single person.”
Mace launched a invoice to ban transgender girls from single-sex services that match their gender id on Monday, and is in talks with management about the way to carry the measure to the ground, a supply conversant in the matter beforehand advised The Hill.
Whereas she initially deliberate to power a vote on the measure, Mace is now hoping to see her invoice mirrored within the Home guidelines package deal for the 119th Congress, which governs how the chamber will perform for the following two years. It is among the first votes taken by the brand new Congress in January.
“I want to see this in the House rules package, I want to make sure that no men are in women’s private spaces,” Mace mentioned.
Johnson declined to say whether or not the measure could be within the guidelines package deal.
“I’m not going to engage in this. We don’t look down upon anyone. We treat everybody with dignity. … We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress,” Johnson mentioned.
McBride on Monday referred to as Mace’s transfer “a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing.”
“We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care and child care, not manufacturing culture wars,” McBride mentioned in a press release. “Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible and that’s what I’m focused on.”
