GOP Rep. Mace files resolution to prohibit bathroom use not corresponding to biological sex

November 20, 2024

South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) is proposing a resolution requiring U.S. House members and their employees to use bathrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms that correspond to their biological sex.

The Deseret News reports that Mace filed the resolution on Monday following the election to Congress of Sarah McBride (D-DE), a biological male who identifies as a woman.

The resolution seeks to become part of the rules for the 119th Congress which will convene on January 3. The rule would apply to House members, officers and employees and would be enforced by the sergeant-at-arms for the House of Representatives.

Mace acknowledges her resolution is in response to McBride’s presence in the House, telling the New York Post, “I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces so I’m absolutely 100% going to 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 every step of the way.”

According to Axios, Mace says that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has told her that he will include her resolution in the House rules.

Johnson later stated, “For anyone who doesn’t know my established record on this issue, let me be unequivocally clear: a man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman. That said, I also believe that’s what scripture teaches, what I just said, but I also believe we treat everybody with dignity. We can do and believe all those things at the same time.”

The House will approve its rules in early January and Mace has indicated that if her resolution is not part of the rules package, she will file a privileged motion to force a vote on it.

Photo: top, Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press