Newly elected Representative Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware, criticized the efforts by some Republican lawmakers to prevent transgender individuals from using restrooms that fit their gender identity, terming it an “attempt to misdirect” attention from significant concerns facing Americans.

McBride made history in November, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

“Each time they mention the word ‘trans,’ look at what they’re really doing with their right hand. They’re stealing from American workers and threatening the security of seniors by pushing to privatize Social Security and Medicare,” she pointed out during an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

She emphasized, “Every moment spent targeting transgender individuals is time and effort not directed toward addressing the rising cost of living that affects our constituents. And we need to recognize the genuine impact this focus has on American workers.”

New restroom policy

On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, introduced a new policy prohibiting transgender individuals from using certain restrooms in the Capitol that correspond with their gender identity. This move came just two days after Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, presented a resolution to restrict transgender women from accessing women’s restrooms in the Capitol. Mace also proposed more extensive legislation affecting all federal buildings and federally funded schools.

Transgender rights became a major topic in the GOP’s campaign strategy, with President-elect Donald Trump running anti-transgender advertisements as the elections approached. Approximately 0.5 percent of adults in the U.S. identify as transgender.

In her CBS interview on Friday, McBride mentioned that she had no intention of utilizing multi-stall bathrooms in the Capitol, a fact she would have communicated to her colleagues if asked.

It remains uncertain how this new policy will be enforced regarding transgender visitors or staff members, given that thousands work on Capitol grounds and millions visit annually.

Some critiques have been directed at McBride, including from within the LGBTQ community, for her decision to comply with Johnson’s new policy without taking a strong position. While urging her fellow Democrats to oppose dehumanizing rhetoric, McBride insists the focus should not be swayed towards culture wars in Congress or the media.

“I did not seek election to the United States House of Representatives to debate restrooms. I ran to advocate for Delawareans. While my Republican colleagues obsess over bathroom issues and targeting me as a transgender person, I am dedicated to the hard work of setting up my office and addressing the serious issues that keep Delawareans awake at night,” she declared on Sunday.

“Ultimately, my personal treatment is secondary. The real focus should be on how the American public is treated and whether we are prioritizing the issues that genuinely impact their lives.”