Sarah McBride, the Democratic representative-elect from Delaware, will adhere to the new policy introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday, which restricts transgender people from using single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House office buildings that align with their gender identity.
McBride, set to become the first openly transgender member of Congress, expressed her commitment to following the rules despite her disagreement. “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down the costs facing families,” she stated in a post on the social media platform X.
Sarah McBride pledges to follow Speaker Mike Johnson’s controversial new bathroom policy
She also emphasized that the new policy hasn’t detracted from her focus on the upcoming challenges. “This effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasn’t distracted me,” McBride said.
“I’ve remained hard at work preparing to represent the greatest state in the union come January.” She further added that serving in the 119th Congress would be “the honor of a lifetime” and expressed her eagerness to collaborate with colleagues from both sides of the aisle.
McBride continued, noting that every member of Congress was elected because voters saw something valuable in them. “I have loved getting to see those qualities in the future colleagues that I’ve met and look forward to seeing those qualities in every member come January,” she said. “I hope all my colleagues will seek to do the same with me.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Speaker Johnson announced the new bathroom policy, which restricts access to single-sex facilities like restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms in the Capitol and House office buildings to individuals based on their biological sex.
Johnson clarified that private restrooms are available in each member’s office and unisex restrooms are located throughout the Capitol. As Speaker, Johnson holds the authority over the chamber’s facilities, allowing him to issue policies related to the use of bathrooms.
The policy was revealed on Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day dedicated to honoring trans individuals who have lost their lives due to anti-trans violence. The announcement follows the introduction of a resolution by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who proposed barring transgender women from using facilities that match their gender identity, a move she tied to McBride’s election.
In response, Mace also filed a separate measure on Wednesday aimed at banning transgender individuals from single-sex facilities on federal property, expanding her previous resolution.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, criticized Johnson’s policy, calling it “a cruel and unnecessary rule that puts countless staff, interns, and visitors to the United States Capitol at risk.”
