Men Banned from Women’s Bathrooms at U.S. Capitol

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) banned biological males from the women’s restrooms at the Capitol on Wednesday after Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) proposed a resolution to require Congress members to use bathrooms aligning with their biological sex.

“All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” said Rep. Johnson.

“It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he continued.

[RELATED: Should Men Be Allowed in the Women’s Bathroom? Congress Debates Nancy Mace’s Bathroom Bill…]

The issue came to the forefront earlier this week when Rep. Mace put forward her resolution in response to the election of the first-ever trans-identifying representative, Sarah McBride (D-Del.), formerly known as “Tim.”

Under House rules, the Speaker has authority over the Capitol’s facilities and thus has the authority to make the change without formally passing Mace’s resolution.

Mace responded to Johnson’s announcement with gratitude but hopes the U.S. will go further and bar biological males from bathrooms and other women’s-only spaces across the country.

“Thank you @SpeakerJohnson! This fight isn’t over just yet. We want to ban men from women’s spaces in EVERY federal building, school, public bathroom, everywhere,” she said on X.

Rep. McBride responded to Johnson’s decision with disappointment but has said that he will comply with House rules.

“Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them,” Mcbride said.

“This effort to distract from real issues facing this country hasn’t distracted me over the last several days, as I’ve remained hard at work,” he added

The push to bar men from women’s spaces at the Capitol has drawn outrage from some in Congress, including U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).

“This is hateful and cruel. Full stop. @SarahEMcBride was elected because her constituents *know* she can deliver real results—just as she did as a state senator. I’m honored to serve with her, and I look forward to working together to tackle the *real* issues facing our country,” said Rep. Pingree on X.

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) has not weighed in on the controversial issue.

In a recent Politico article, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) warned Democrats that focusing on “transgender this or that” was becoming a brand problem for the party.