Speaker Johnson to announce policy barring trans women from Capitol bathrooms

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is planning to announce that transgender women are not permitted to use bathrooms in the Capitol that match their gender identity, a source told The Hill, taking a stance on the hot-button issue that has overtaken the Capitol in recent days.

The policy — which Johnson intends to announce in a public statement, a draft of which was obtained by The Hill — will also apply to bathrooms in House office buildings, changing rooms and locker rooms. It is unclear when he plans to publish the comments.

Under House rules, the Speaker has “general control” of facilities in the chamber, giving him the authority to issue the policy surrounding bathrooms.

Johnson’s forthcoming statement comes days after Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a bill to bar transgender women from facilities on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity, a response to the election earlier this month of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.).

McBride will be the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.