A Republican-led resolution targeting transgender lawmakers, specifically Democratic congresswoman Sarah McBride, has sparked sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. The proposal, introduced by Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace on 18 November, seeks to ban transgender women from using female restrooms in the US Capitol.
Sarah McBride, who made history on 5 November as the first transgender woman elected to the US House of Representatives, defeated Republican John Whalen to secure Delaware’s at-large seat. The resolution explicitly aims to prevent trans lawmakers like McBride from accessing single-sex facilities that align with their gender identity.
When asked if the resolution was aimed at McBride’s appointment, Mace confirmed: “Yes and absolutely, and then some. I’m absolutely 100 per cent going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a woman’s restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms. I will be there fighting you every step of the way.”
The resolution is set for a vote in early January, where Republicans hold a majority in the lower chamber.
McBride dismissed the resolution as a divisive tactic: “This is a blatant attempt from 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, a former state senator, is no stranger to breaking barriers, having been the first transgender person elected to a state senate in 2020.
Democratic congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, representing Texas’s 30th congressional district, also criticised the anti-trans resolution, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy. Writing on X (formerly Twitter) on 19 November, Crockett said:
“If @HouseGOP really wanted to protect women, they’d release the Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz’ alleged sex trafficking – not try to ban their colleagues from using the bathroom. Stop the bigotry and release the report.”
Crockett’s statement referred to Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, who has faced multiple allegations, including a federal sex trafficking investigation and a House ethics inquiry. Gaetz was recently nominated by Donald Trump as attorney general, a move met with widespread controversy.
Crockett’s tweet quickly went viral, garnering over 3,000 retweets and 340,000 views. While many of the top responses came from right-wing critics, her comments were also met with significant support. One commenter wrote: “Release the Ethics report and leave Sarah alone! That’s the real way you protect women! Trans women deserve to be protected too.” Another said: “Once again, plain old common sense from @RepJasmine.”
