House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday that he’s banning transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol.
Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said in a statement that “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.”
His decision follows a week in Washington dominated by Rep. Nancy Mace’s push to ban transgender women from using women’s facilities, which was a direct response to Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, Delaware Democrat and a transgender woman.
It also comes on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day for people killed in anti-trans violence.
Mr. Johnson told reporters following his announcement that his decision, “like all House policies,” is enforceable.
“We have single-sex facilities for a reason, and women deserve women’s only spaces,” he said. “And we’re not anti-anyone. We’re pro-woman, and I think it’s an important policy for us to continue. It’s always been the, I guess, an unwritten policy, but now it’s in writing.”
Ms. McBride has called the uproar surrounding the push from Ms. Mace, South Carolina Republican, a distraction.
“I’m not here to fight about bathrooms,” Ms. McBride said in a statement following the speaker’s move. “I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”
Mr. Johnson’s decision makes public a vow he made to Republicans during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday that transgender women wouldn’t be allowed to use women’s bathrooms.
The speaker added in his announcement that each lawmaker has his or her own restroom and that unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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