The Capitol bathroom debate reached a boiling point this week as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made waves by issuing a new policy: bathrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms in the Capitol and House office buildings will now be restricted to individuals based on their biological sex.
The announcement, which comes on the heels of a resolution introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), signals a bold stance on an issue that has sparked fiery debates nationwide.
Johnson’s decision is grounded in House rules granting the Speaker control over Capitol facilities. In his public statement, he emphasized the need to uphold the privacy and safety of women in single-sex spaces.
He also clarified that unisex restrooms and private facilities remain available to all members. “Women deserve their own spaces,” Johnson asserted, echoing the sentiments of Rep. Mace, who has been a vocal advocate for the policy.
🚨 BREAKING: Speaker Mike Johnson has just announced that men are banned from the women’s bathrooms and locker rooms in the Capitol and House Office Buildings:
“Women deserve women’s only spaces.”
Boom. pic.twitter.com/Vfp7knyzwx
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 20, 2024
Mace has framed the issue as one of safety and fairness. A survivor of sexual violence herself, she has been outspoken about the need to protect vulnerable women and girls in private spaces. “I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces,” she said in response to critics, emphasizing her personal experience with abuse and PTSD as a driving force behind her advocacy.
The announcement came on “Transgender Day of Remembrance,” a date intended to honor transgender individuals who have lost their lives to violence.
Johnson’s timing has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing groups and activists who argue the policy discriminates against transgender individuals. However, conservatives have rallied around the Speaker, praising his move as a defense of women’s rights and biological realities.
SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: “Let me be unequivocally clear. A man is a man and a woman is a woman. And a man cannot become a woman.”
🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/U9PTy2MhFT
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 19, 2024
This policy shift is expected to reignite broader national debates about the clash between transgender rights and the protection of women’s spaces. While Johnson’s ruling is limited to Capitol facilities, the implications of this decision will likely ripple far beyond Washington, highlighting the growing divide on issues of sex, gender identity, and privacy. One thing is clear: this Speaker isn’t afraid to draw the line, and his position is sure to keep the debate raging for weeks to come.
