AOC Says Nancy Mace Is Just Trying to 'Make a Buck', Fundraise Off 'Disgusting' Transgender Bathroom Ban

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has criticized a Republican-led resolution banning transgender individuals from using bathrooms on Capitol Hill that align with their gender identity introduced by Representative Nancy Mace and backed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The resolution restricts access to single-sex facilities based on biological sex and comes on the heels of Representative-elect Sarah McBride becoming the first openly transgender member of Congress. Johnson released a statement supporting the measure, arguing that single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House office buildings should remain reserved for individuals of the corresponding biological sex.

In her criticism, Ocasio-Cortez specifically signaled out Mace, who she believes is endangering women and girls rather than protecting them. "Does Nancy Mace want little girls and women to drop trousers in front of an investigator?" asked AOC during a press interview on Wednesday. "Who would that be? It's disgusting."

She also accused Republicans of using the issue for the purposes of fundraising, stating, "they're doing this so that Nancy Mace can make a buck and fundraise off an email."

In response, Mace went on Fox News to take a jab at AOC by saying: "I love living rent-free in AOC's tiny little brain." Earlier in the week, Mace defended the resolution by saying that "As a survivor of sexual violence and abuse, I will unapologetically protect women in vulnerable places like our locker rooms, restrooms and sports teams."

McBride herself addressed the resolution on Wednesday through a social media post, labeling the debate a distraction from pressing issues. "Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them," she said, adding that "this effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasn't distracted me over the last several days".