Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) sharply criticized Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) for her recent proposal to bar biological men from women’s private spaces at the U.S. Capitol. Ocasio-Cortez argues that Mace’s efforts will increase danger to women, despite Mace’s insistence that the bill is about protecting their privacy and safety.
Mace’s proposal, which reportedly has the support of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), would restrict access to women’s bathrooms, changing rooms, and similar facilities based on biological sex. This measure is seen as a response to the upcoming arrival of Sarah McBride, a transgender lawmaker from Delaware, set to take office in January.
Ocasio-Cortez expressed alarm, claiming the enforcement of such rules could lead to invasive practices. She painted a scenario where authorities might scrutinize individuals’ appearances to verify their biological sex, a claim dismissed by Mace and other supporters. According to Ocasio-Cortez, the proposed restrictions would not only violate personal privacy but potentially encourage discrimination against women who do not conform to traditional gender expectations.
Mace’s bill makes no mention of physical inspections or appearance-based judgments, focusing strictly on biological sex. She maintains that the move is about safeguarding women from having to share intimate spaces with biological men, whom she believes pose a potential threat to privacy and safety. Mace emphasized her personal experiences as a survivor of sexual assault to highlight the importance of protecting these boundaries.
The debate over women’s spaces has intensified as society grapples with issues of gender identity and privacy. Mace’s proposal has received backlash, with Ocasio-Cortez labeling it an attempt to control and bully women under the guise of protection. McBride, the incoming transgender representative, indicated willingness to abide by whatever rules are enacted, downplaying the bathroom debate as a distraction from other legislative priorities.
The proposed legislation, if enacted, would explicitly prohibit anyone from using single-sex facilities that do not align with their biological sex in the U.S. Capitol. Mace pledged to push forward, even suggesting she would force a vote if the rule does not make it into the final House rules package.
