Speaker Johnson Reacts to Proposed Resolution Banning Trans Representative from Capitol Bathrooms: ‘I’m Not Gonna Engage in This’

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson deflected when asked about a proposed resolution that would ban a transgender U.S. representative from using the women’s bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

Two weeks ago, Sarah McBride (D-DE) — who was the first openly trans state senator in U.S. history — became the country’s first trans U.S. representative-elect when she won the election in the state’s first district. Seemingly in response to this win, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a resolution Monday that would prevent trans women from using women’s bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has also come out in support of the resolution, reportedly saying she would get into a “physical altercation” if someone born a male was in the women’s bathroom.

During a press conference on Tuesday, a reporter bluntly asked Johnson if McBride was a man or a woman.

“Look, I’m not gonna get into this,” Johnson said. We welcome all new members with open arms who are duly elected representatives of the people. “I believe it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect and we will, and I’m not going to engage in silly debates about this. There’s a concern about the uses of restroom facilities and locker rooms and all that. This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before and we’re gonna do that in deliberate fashion with a member consensus on it; and we will accommodate the needs of every single person. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.”

Johnson also declined to get into specifics about Mace’s proposal.

“I’m not gonna address the plans on any of that,” Johnson continued. “I just told you what I’m gonna say about the issue. I’m not gonna engage in this. We don’t look down upon anyone. We treat everybody with dignity and respect. That’s a principle that I pursued my whole life; and we will take care of this, you know, issue of first impression for Congress as we will any other thing. We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress.”

Watch above via C-SPAN.