Lawmakers Push for 'Potty Parity' in Washington

A couple of male lawmakers struck a blow for women's rights yesterday—the right to equality in bathrooms, that is. The “Potty Parity Act,” introduced in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is the work of chairman Edolphus Town, who says he’s bothered by the “exasperating lines” and generally poor restroom accommodations women across the government face.The bill would require all federal buildings to have an equal number of restrooms for men and women, the Washington Post reports.

Many federal buildings were constructed back before women were a major part of the federal workforce, and hence skimped on ladies’ rooms. “Our nation's history shows that … public restrooms have served as manifestations of more deeply rooted problems of discrimination,” Town said. He’s tried to get the bill passed before, but this time he’s taking it through committee, and has the support of its ranking Republican, Darrell Issa. (More Potty Parity Act stories.)