JUST IN: Speaker Johnson Bans Trans Rep.-Elect From Women’s Bathrooms

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) took a decisive step on Wednesday, announcing a new policy barring transgender women from using women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities within the Capitol complex.

In a public statement, Johnson confirmed the rule would apply across the Capitol, including House office buildings, changing rooms, and locker rooms. While Johnson revealed the policy in a public statement, a draft of his remarks was initially reported by The Hill. The timeline for officially publishing his comments remains unclear.

Under House rules, the Speaker has “general control” over facilities in the chamber, granting him the authority to implement the new bathroom policy. “All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” Johnson stated.

“It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.” He continued, “Women deserve women’s only spaces.”

Speaker Johnson confirms my scoop, issuing a statement on Capitol bathrooms:

“All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex.” https://t.co/p1xuM0NLaX pic.twitter.com/DlI7vuFPMh

— Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) November 20, 2024

Rep. Johnson made the timely statement on the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Johnson’s statement comes after Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced legislation aimed at preventing transgender women from accessing facilities that correspond to their gender identity on Capitol Hill. The bill was introduced in response to the election of Sarah McBride (D-DE), who will be the first transgender person elected to Congress.

“So If that being a feminist makes me an extremist, I’m totally here for it,” Mace told reporters on Tuesday. When asked if the effort was in direct response to McBride’s election, Mace did not hesitate. “Yes, and absolutely, and then some,” she said.

“I’m not going to stand for a man, someone with a penis is in the women’s locker room, that’s not okay. And I’m a victim of abuse myself, I’m a rape survivor, I have PTSD from the abuse I’ve suffered at the hands of a man. And I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces.” She finished, “I will be there fighting you every step of the way.”

WATCH:

“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride wrote in a statement. “We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.”

“I’m not going to address the plans on any of that. I just told you what I’m going to say about the issue. I’m not going to engage in this,” Johnson said earlier this week. “We don’t look down upon anyone. We treat everybody with dignity and respect. That’s a principle that I’ve pursued my whole life, and we will take care of this issue of first impression for Congress as we will any other thing. We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress.”

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