Pelosi Joins 212 Democrats in Calling on Speaker Johnson to Address Anti-Trans Rhetoric, Enforce Rules of Decorum

Washington, D.C. — This week, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined 212 Democratic Members of Congress—led by Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Sarah McBride (DE-AL) and Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39)—in sending a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson condemning the rise in anti-transgender rhetoric from Members of Congress and urging the enforcement of the House’s rules of decorum. The letter signers represent the diversity of the Democratic Caucus, including rank-and-file Members, Leadership—including Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, Chair Pete Aguilar—every Member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, and Members of every major House Democrat ideological caucus.

In their letter, the Members state:

“We write to you to strongly condemn the rise in anti-transgender rhetoric, including from members of Congress, and to urge you to ensure members of Congress are following rules of decorum and not using their platforms to demonize and scapegoat any marginalized community, including the transgender community.”

“This Congress, we have seen a dramatic escalation in rhetoric demonizing and dehumanizing the transgender community. This includes multiple instances of a member of Congress using a slur to refer to the transgender community during official proceedings, including during committee proceedings and on the floor of the House. Despite the responsibility of Committee Chairs and the Speaker of the House to maintain order and ensure members are following the rules of decorum, no action was taken by the Chair or Speaker Pro Tempore in any of these circumstances.”

Members end their letter by urging Speaker Johnson to condemn the rise in dehumanizing rhetoric and ensure members of the Republican conference abide by the rules of decorum:

“As Speaker of the House, you have a responsibility not just to the Republican Conference but to the entire House of Representatives—and the entire country that the House represents. We urge you to condemn the rise in dehumanizing rhetoric targeting the transgender community and to ensure members of your conference are abiding by rules of decorum and not using their platforms to demonize and scapegoat the transgender community, including by ensuring members are not using slurs to refer to the transgender community.”

The full letter, including the names of all signers, is available to read here.