House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced on Wednesday that transgender women are not permitted to use bathrooms in the Capitol that match their gender identity.
The new policy from Johnson announced in a public statement, will also apply to bathrooms in House office buildings, changing rooms, and locker rooms.
Current House rules give the Speaker “general control” of facilities in the chamber, meaning Johnson has the authority to issue the policy surrounding bathrooms in the Capitol.
“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,” Johnson said. “It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.”
He went on to say, “Women deserve women’s only spaces.”
Johnson’s statement comes in the days since Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a bill that would stop transgender women from facilities that match their gender identity at the Capitol.
The bill comes after Sara McBride (D) won her race for a House seat in Delaware. McBride will be the first openly transgender person in Congress.
After the policy was announced on Wednesday, McBride released a statement, saying that she disagreed but would abide by the new rule.
“I’m not here to fight about bathrooms, I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families,” McBride said. “Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”
Johnson had previously sidestepped the issue when asked about Mace’s bill and whether or not he would take action.
However, hours after saying he wouldn’t speak about it, he told reporters, “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,” he added.