Capitol bathrooms restricted to birth gender only

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House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced a firm stance on bathroom usage in the Capitol complex, declaring that biological males will be prohibited from using women’s facilities.

The announcement follows Representative Nancy Mace’s move to introduce legislation banning transgender women from accessing female restrooms, a decision made weeks before transgender Democrat Sarah McBride’s scheduled swearing-in ceremony from Delaware.

Mike Johnson says only women are allowed in female restrooms.

And now that he has demonstrated that he has balls, he's allowed back in the men's restroom pic.twitter.com/41QaUgamfv

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— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) November 20, 2024

The situation intensified after Mace’s Monday announcement about her planned resolution, prompting questions about Johnson’s position. Following initial uncertainty, Johnson made his position clear on Wednesday.

“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 said in a statement. “It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.”

When questioned about enforcement, Johnson emphasized the policy’s binding nature. “Like all House policies, it’s enforceable,” Johnson told reporters. “And we have single sex facilities for a reason, and women deserve women’s only spaces. And we are not anti anyone and we are pro-woman. I think it is an important policy for us to continue. It’s always been an unwritten policy and now it is in writing.”

Before making his definitive statement, Johnson showed initial hesitation in addressing the matter publicly, despite discussing it during a closed Republican meeting. Democrats similarly appeared reluctant to confront the issue directly.

McBride responded by redirecting attention to economic matters. “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms,” McBride said. “I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families.”

Democratic leadership has followed McBride’s approach, avoiding direct engagement on the topic while accusing Republicans of using it as a distraction. This strategy comes shortly after Democrats faced significant electoral setbacks, partly attributed to their stance on transgender issues.

Republicans have successfully campaigned on protecting women’s spaces and opposing gender-related medical procedures for minors. Johnson’s initial reluctance to take a firm stance prompted criticism from conservatives.

When first questioned about McBride’s gender identity, Johnson avoided the topic, emphasizing welcoming all elected representatives. However, following conservative backlash, he later clarified: “Let me be unequivocally clear: a man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman.”

Representative Chip Roy expressed concern about Johnson’s initial hesitation. “If [Congress] can’t be clear that a man is a man and a woman is a woman and that we should treat it as such, then we can’t expect the rest of the country to treat it as such,” Roy told Jenna Ellis Wednesday, adding, “We’ve got to actually stand up for the good and the sake of our children and the mental health of the American people and say enough is enough.”

Meanwhile, Mace has intensified her efforts, introducing broader legislation called the Protecting Women’s Private Spaces Act, which would extend the bathroom restrictions to all federal property.

BREAKING NEWS:
Speaker Mike Johnson is absolute savage ‼️

"Let me be unequivocally clear. A man is a man, and a woman is a woman. And a man cannot become a woman."

This means Congressman Sarah McBride will NOT be allowed to use the women's bathroom. pic.twitter.com/HyeIUzdQf7

— motivate 4 life 🇺🇲 (@imotivate4life) November 19, 2024

“Oh you thought threatening me would silence me? No,” she tweeted. “I just doubled down and filed a new bill to protect women and girls across the entire country on all federal property everywhere.”

As Democrats grapple with recent political setbacks and McBride’s upcoming arrival in Washington, Republicans appear likely to maintain pressure on this issue, potentially compelling Johnson to take an even stronger stance.