A coalition of conservative groups is urging GOP lawmakers to ban transgender women from using female bathroom facilities in all federal buildings in support of legislation that was introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) last week.
In a letter sent Tuesday to all members of the House, more than a dozen prominent conservative organizations pressed lawmakers to pass Mace’s bill, which would prohibit transgender women from using any “private, protected facilities” such as bathrooms or locker rooms on all federal property. The bill is an extension of Mace’s initial proposal that only sought to impose similar restrictions at the Capitol.
“Biology matters and it is important for women to have female-exclusive facilities both to protect their privacy and also to deter potential predators,” the groups wrote. “The need for maintaining these safe spaces for women and girls is self-evident.”
The groups cited instances in which “bad actors” took advantage of exceptions for female-designated bathrooms, including several documented reports of assault.
“There’s no question the Republicans, who just won the House, the Senate, and the White House, have a mandate to protect women and children from transgender ideology,” the group wrote. “Republicans in the House and Senate should feel totally comfortable defending their positions not only because they are morally right, but because they are politically popular.”
The letter was signed by the Eagle Forum, CatholicVote, and AMAC Action, among other organizations.
It’s unclear how House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will move forward with Mace’s pair of bills, which were prompted by the election of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first transgender member of Congress. However, the top House Republican has already begun to take action on the matter.
Shortly after Mace introduced her bills, Johnson issued a policy banning transgender individuals from using single-sex bathrooms and locker rooms inside the Capitol building. The policy applies to bathrooms in the Capitol and House office buildings and will be enforced by the sergeant-at-arms. Johnson maintained that the policy would be enforced, although it’s not yet clear how.
“Like all policies, it is enforceable,” Johnson told reporters last week. “It’s always been an unwritten policy, but now it’s in writing.”
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McBride has committed to complying with Johnson’s policy, even if the freshman Democrat disagrees with the decision.
“I’m not here to fight about bathrooms,” McBride said. “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.”