A member of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Mace, has introduced a resolution seeking to prohibit transgender lawmakers and House employees from using facilities not related to their biological sex.
In an interview with journalists on Tuesday, November 19, Ms Mace, a Republican, noted that the bill is a direct response to the election of Sarah McBride (pictured top right), who is set to be the first openly transgender person in Congress.
McBride is a Democrat.
“Yes and absolutely, and then some. I’m absolutely 100% gonna stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms. I will be there fighting you every step of the way”, she stated.
Ms Mace insisted on working to see her resolution incorporated into the House rules package for the next Congress.
McBride, 46, from Delaware, was elected into the U.S. Congress in the November 5 general elections. The transgender Representative-elect will be sworn in on January 3.
In a social media post on Monday night, Ms McBride expressed hope that the American Congress would treat all members with equal kindness.
“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”, she wrote.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans had commenced plans to resolve the issue, adding accommodations will be made for Ms McBride.
“We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people,” said Johnson.
“I believe it’s a command we treat all persons with dignity and respect. This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before. We’re going to do that in a deliberate fashion with member consensus on it, and we will accommodate the needs of every single person”, Mr Johnson noted.
