Sarah McBride has told The Independent that a new Republican move to prevent transgender youngsters playing in women’s sports “defies understanding”. Her comments follow the US House of Representatives voting on its rule package and outlining a series of priority legislation.

"It defies understanding, except for the fact that it's a pretty obvious part of a politics of misdirection and distraction," McBride said of Republicans' proposed federal anti-trans legislation.

The first openly transgender lawmaker exclusively tells The Independent that Republicans’ prioritization of the legislation leaves her “mystified that this is a priority” for the GOP.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) will speak to the Delaware Republican Party this week about her efforts to institute transgender bathroom bans at the U.S. Capitol and on federal property, Axios has learned.