Proposal Sparks Backlash, With Critics Calling It a Discriminatory Culture-War Tactic
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is facing intense criticism after introducing a resolution that misgenders transgender women and appears to target Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del., who will be the first openly transgender member of Congress.
The resolution, which Mace proposes restrictions on restroom use in Congress based on “biological sex.” Critics argue the measure is discriminatory and disproportionately affects transgender staff members, particularly those who may not be publicly out.
“For the record, this is a binding resolution. The Sergeant at Arms would enforce it,” Mace wrote in a tweet. Over the past two days, she has posted and retweeted comments about the proposal more than two dozen times, seemingly obsessed with the idea.
McBride responded in a statement, calling the resolution a “blatant attempt from far-right 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 said. “Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
While McBride has her own designated restroom, as is typical for members of Congress, transgender staff members would be directly affected by the resolution. Observers on social media have questioned how the rule would be enforced, raising concerns about potential invasions of privacy.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including GLAAD, condemned Mace’s resolution. GLAAD criticized her for supporting male colleagues accused of sexual misconduct while claiming to advocate for the protection of women.
“Rep. Mace’s claims that she supports protecting women and girls conflict with her public stance with her own colleagues accused of rape and assault,” GLAAD said in a statement. The organization pointed to her endorsement of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general, despite allegations of sex trafficking and inappropriate behavior.
Mace has also faced scrutiny for her silence on allegations of sexual misconduct against President-elect Donald Trump, including a civil court ruling that found him liable for his sexual abuse of writer E. Jean Carroll.
