Rep. Nancy Mace’s proposal banning transgender lawmakers from using restrooms at the U.S. Capitol that correspond to their gender identity was absent from the rules package approved by the GOP-controlled House on Friday.
Mace introduced the controversial ban in November specifically to target newly-elected Rep. Sarah McBride, a transgender Democrat from Delaware. She was reportedly assured by Mike Johnson, who narrowly won re-election as Speaker Friday, that the ban would be included in the rules package.
There appears to be no bad blood as Mace congratulated Johnson on his reelection and did not make any mention of the fact that the bathroom ban was absent from the final rules package.
“Speaker Mike Johnson has rightfully been reelected to lead the People’s House once again. His leadership offers a clear path forward to restore safety, security, and accountability in our nation,” she said in a statement, according to Huffpost.
“We have a mandate to secure our borders, rebuild the economy, and hold Washington accountable. Speaker Johnson understands this, and with President Trump’s leadership, we are ready to fulfill those promises and deliver on the America First agenda.”
It is unclear why the ban was not included in the rules package and even more confusing is Mace’s reaction to the snub.
Mace spent the last weeks of 2024 in an all out war against transgender rights while engaging in a series of publicity stunts designed to draw attention to the ban.
She used a bullhorn to read miranda rights to protesters who were arrested for staging a sit-in at a Capitol bathroom and used anti-transgender slurs in reference them. Mace also walked around the Capitol wearing a sling after claiming that she was assaulted by a trans activist who says he simply shook her hand.
At the time the bill’s target, then-Rep-elect McBride, made it clear she will not engage with Mace on the issue.
“I am not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down cost facing families,” McBride wrote in a statement. “Like all members I will follow the rules as outlined by speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”
