US House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed his support for a proposal to ban transgender women from using female bathrooms on Capitol Hill, igniting intense debate and backlash from Democrats. This initiative follows Representative Nancy Mace's introduction of a bill aimed at implementing the ban, which specifically targets Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender lawmaker.

Johnson stated, "Women deserve women's only spaces," and emphasized that the new rule would be enforceable in the Capitol and House office buildings. The policy will apply to all single-sex facilities, including changing rooms and locker rooms, although House representatives have access to their own bathrooms, and unisex bathrooms are available in parts of the Capitol Hill complex.

McBride responded by saying she wasn't elected "to fight about bathrooms" but rather to focus on issues affecting the people of Delaware and their families. Many Democrats, including Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, sharply criticized the move. Fetterman asserted, "There's no job I'm afraid to lose if it requires me to degrade anyone."

Mace, who introduced the bill, argued that it is about protecting women's privacy and safety, stating, "I'm not going to allow biological men into women's private spaces." However, her stance has raised eyebrows, considering her previous support for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Her spokeswoman, Gabrielle Lipsky, defended the ban, saying, "We support gay marriage... If you think protecting women is discrimination, you are the problem."

This controversy reflects the broader Republican focus on transgender issues, including restricting access to gender-related surgeries for minors and barring transgender athletes from competing in female-only sports categories. During his 2016 campaign, Donald Trump initially supported allowing transgender students to use whichever bathroom "they feel is appropriate," but later reversed his stance. The debate underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and the challenges faced by transgender individuals in the United States. As the 119th Congress convenes, lawmakers will need to navigate these complex issues, balancing individual rights with competing interests and values.