House Speaker Mike Johnson has introduced a policy requiring individuals to use single-sex restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities in the Capitol complex based on their biological sex. This decision comes in the wake of Sarah McBride’s election as the first openly transgender member of Congress and has stirred significant discussion.
Under the new guidelines, all members of Congress retain access to private restrooms within their offices, and unisex facilities remain available throughout the Capitol. Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining spaces designated exclusively for women.
The policy follows a proposed resolution earlier this year that aimed to restrict restroom access in response to McBride’s election. Critics of the resolution viewed it as part of a broader debate over transgender rights, while supporters framed it as a matter of preserving traditional boundaries for gender-specific spaces.
McBride has publicly stated her intent to comply with the policy despite expressing disagreement. She criticized the focus on restroom access as a distraction from more significant legislative priorities.
The decision has reignited conversations about inclusivity and rights within government institutions, reflecting the larger national debate over policies affecting transgender individuals.