First openly trans rep-elect claims GOP spotlighting transgender issues an 'attempt to distract' voters

President-elect Trump, conservative voters and members of Congress have all raised concerns regarding transgender issues, including stretching back years, most notably in the context of barring biological men from competing in women's and girls' sports, as well as banning men from women's bathrooms and locker rooms. 

Mace, a rape survivor, also introduced another bill that would "ban biological men from using women's private, protected facilities - such as bathrooms and locker rooms - on all federal property" across the nation. 

Democrats, including McBride, slammed Mace as a "far-right" extremist for the legislation. 

"This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars," McBride posted to X. 

"All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings - such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms - are reserved for individuals of that biological sex," Johnson said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. "It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol." 

"Women deserve women's only spaces," he added. 

McBride continued during her Sunday interview that the GOP's focus on trans issues distracts Congress from policy issues such as lowering the cost of living. 

"Here's also what we have to be clear about, because I think the last week has been a prime example of this. Every bit of time and energy that is used to divert the attention of the federal government to go after trans people is time and energy that is not focused on addressing the cost of living for our constituents. And we have to be clear that there is a real cost for the American worker every time they focus on this," McBride said. 

"It's sad and surprising that in 2024 I have to go on TV and on social media to explain to the radical left that men shouldn't be allowed in women's restrooms, that women shouldn't be forced to undress in front of men."

Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind and Charles Creitz contributed to this report.