Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are taking up the so-called “Potty Parity” act.

The proposed law (H.R. 4869) would “provide for restroom gender parity in Federal buildings.”The legislation would require all federal buildings to have the same amount or more toilets for women as they do for men. Supporters claim it’s not a matter to be taken lightly. They said that women waiting in long lines when the need arises can actually lead to health conditions.If passed, the law would cover new construction, renovations and leased property.Many federal buildings were built decades ago, when there were fewer women in the workforce. That means fewer restroom facilities for women, and supporters said that’s not fair.”A condition that has really been insidious — we’ve not really dealt with it. Women have had to come up with coping equipment and it’s really needless,” U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke said. A similar bill was introduced in the House more than a year ago, but it never made it out of committee.The federal building in Milwaukee is 111 years old — built long before women entered the work force.”Well, there’s always a longer line in women’s rooms it seems like. I’ve noticed that. I don’t know if it’s because women take longer or because there are fewer restrooms for them,” attorney Brian Mullins said.It’s been an openly debated question for decades. Why do men have more restrooms than women? While Congress considers the proposed Potty Parity Act, 12 News put the question to a couple of lawyers who are quite familiar with the federal building in Milwaukee.”Well, I know there was a women’s room that was converted to a men’s room here, I think, and maybe I’m not aware of whether some men’s rooms were converted to women’s rooms,” Mullins said.No one could tell 12 News reporter Mike Anderson how long ago, but the federal courthouse has already made adjustments to accommodate women and men, an insider told 12 News.The Reuss Federal Plaza, is privately owned but the government leases space there. The building management was unavailable for comment on the Potty Parity proposal. They gave Anderson the impression that it wasn’t a concern.”The women’s restroom is closest to where I need to go, so it hasn’t been an undue burden, I guess you could say, and the restroom situation on the fourth floor is where I’m going right now and the restroom is near to the men’s room too, so I haven’t had any problems,” attorney Hannah Yancey said.