Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) laid into the Republican chairman of the Europe Subcommittee on Tuesday, prompting the panel’s abrupt adjournment.
After a witness finished responding to a question, Chairman Keith Self (R-TX) recognized Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), who last year became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. When recognizing McBride, Self misgendered her, calling her “Mr. McBride.” In response, McBride said, “Thank you, Madam Chair.”
Here is the exchange:
SELF: I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride.
MCBRIDE: Thank you, Madam Chair, Ranking Member Keating. Also–
KEATING: Mr. Chairman, could you repeat your introduction again, please?
SELF: Yes, it’s a, it’s a, we have set the standard on the floor of the House, and I’m simply–
KEATING: What is that standard, Mr. Chairman? Would you repeat what you just said? You introduced a duly elected representative from the United States of America. Please.
SELF: I will. The representative from Delaware. Mr. McBride.
KEATING: Mr. Chairman, you are out of order! Mr. Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I’ve come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent.
SELF: We will continue this hearing–
KEATING: You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way!
SELF: [slams gavel] This hearing is adjourned.
McBride’s election caused such consternation among congressional Republicans that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced in November that legislators and their staffers would have to use bathrooms that correspond with their biological sex.
“Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he said at the time.
It wasn’t the first time McBride was misgendered. Last month on the House floor, Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) referred to her as “the Gentleman from Delaware.”
Watch above via the House of Representatives.
