**House Republicans Propose Capitol Bathroom Bill Targeting Sarah McBride**

Republican legislators are pushing a controversial Capitol building measure that would bar Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, from using women’s restrooms.

Sarah McBride achieved a historic victory earlier this month, securing her place as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Aware of the challenges she would face from right-wing opponents, McBride spent her initial days in Washington for new member orientation. Her activities included mandatory cybersecurity training, setting up payroll, selecting district offices, and learning legislative procedures.

In a surprising move, Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina announced her intentions to introduce a measure that would prohibit transgender women from using women’s restrooms and changing rooms within the Capitol complex. Mace candidly admitted her resolution was aimed directly at McBride even though it would extend to all employees and officers of the House.

"Sarah McBride doesn’t get a say," Mace told reporters. "I mean, this is a biological man." She further asserted that McBride "does not belong in women’s spaces, women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms - period, full stop."

The move is seen as a deliberate strategy from Republicans to exploit transgender issues as a means to create divisions among Democrats. This approach mirrors tactics used in past political campaigns, including the closing weeks of Donald J. Trump’s campaign where he criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her views on transgender rights. With Democrats recently losing control of the White House and both Congressional chambers, party members are left contemplating whether their stance on transgender issues played a part in the electoral results.