Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Bill To Keep Gender Delusion Out Of Sensitive Federal Positions

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 8, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC-01) introduced the Gender Delusion Disqualification Act, legislation to ensure individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria cannot hold sensitive federal positions subject to mental health standards or obtain federal certifications requiring those same standards.

The bill amends Title 5 of the United States Code to add Subchapter VIII to Chapter 73, establishing a new requirement for "covered positions" within executive agencies where mental health standards are already a condition of appointment or continued service. It also applies to "covered certifications" where federal law or regulation requires an individual to meet specified mental health standards for issuance or renewal.

"The federal government should not be handing out security-sensitive jobs like participation trophies," said Congresswoman Mace. "Serious positions require serious standards. Ideology should never come before reality, and if the government requires individuals to meet mental health standards, those standards should actually mean something. The bar exists for a reason. We're not interested in lowering it to accommodate delusion."

Under the legislation, the head of each executive agency would have 180 days after enactment to issue regulations implementing the new requirements for covered positions and certifications within their jurisdiction. The bill also makes clear it would not impose additional standards on executive branch employees who do not hold a covered position.

"When public safety is on the line, there is no room for gender delusion. Our bill keeps the bar where it belongs," Mace added.

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