Fri Jan 03 18:50:00 UTC 2025: ## House Republicans Drop Controversial Capitol Bathroom Ban from Rules Package
**Washington, D.C.** – The highly anticipated Republican rules package for the new House of Representatives, set for a vote on January 3rd, notably omits a proposed ban on transgender individuals using bathrooms aligning with their gender identity. Rep. Nancy Mace’s legislation, which sparked significant controversy and protests, was initially expected to be included.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson had previously issued a statement in November asserting that Capitol Hill bathrooms would be designated by “biological sex,” a policy Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress, stated she would abide by. However, no concrete details on enforcement were ever provided.
The omission of the bathroom ban from the official rules package leaves its status unclear. While Rep. Mace previously claimed Speaker Johnson assured her its inclusion, the proposed rules contain no such restrictions. This lack of clarity follows recent protests against the proposed ban, including arrests of activists.
The absence of the bathroom ban could be due to Republican internal divisions. The rules package itself includes measures designed to make it far more difficult to remove the Speaker from office via a “motion to vacate,” potentially highlighting internal party concerns. This move, however, could further destabilize the already narrow Republican majority, with at least one Republican representative, Rep. Thomas Massie, already stating he will not vote for Johnson as Speaker.
The situation underscores the ongoing tension within the Republican party regarding LGBTQ+ rights and the challenges faced by the new House leadership in navigating internal divisions and enacting its agenda. The fate of any potential bathroom restrictions within the Capitol remains uncertain.
First Piper 