A House hearing was abruptly halted when an ugly war of words erupted after transgender Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride was referred to as ‘mister’.
McBride is the first transgender member of Congress, winning Delaware‘s at-large seat in November.
Her election win prompted fierce backlash from Republican members of congress who successfully launched a bid to block McBride from using the women’s restrooms at the Capitol.
Texas Republican Rep. Keith Self kicked off the House foreign affairs subcommittee meeting on Tuesday by referring to McBride with the wrong gender.
‘I now recognize the representative from Delaware: Mr. McBride,’ Self said.
McBride quickly quipped in the same manner, ‘Thank you, Madame Chair.’
However, before she could continue, Massachusetts Rep. Bill Keating interrupted to get Self to correct himself.
‘Mr. Chairman, could you repeat your introduction again, please?’ he said.
A House Subcommittee meeting was abruptly adjourned after a congressman referred to transgender Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride as ‘mister’
McBride (center) is the first transgender member of Congress, winning Delaware’s at-large seat in November
Self immediately went on the defense, claiming he was following ‘the standard on the floor of the House.’
‘What is that standard Mr. Chairman,’ Keating said. ‘Would you repeat what you just said when you introduced a duly elected representative from the United States of America please.’
‘I will,’ Self doubled down. ‘The representative from Delaware: Mr. McBride.’
Keating became irate, calling Self ‘out of order’ and asking him, ‘Have you no decency?’
‘I’ve come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent,’ the Massachusetts congressman said.
Self tried to move the hearing along, but Keating doubled down he would not participate unless McBride was correctly introduced.
‘You will not continue with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way,’ Keating said.
Self then adjourned the hearing and the members dispersed.
Texas Republican Rep. Keith Self (pictured) kicked off the House foreign affairs subcommittee meeting Tuesday by referring to McBride with the wrong gender
Massachusetts Rep. Bill Keating interrupted to correct Self, which led to the heated argument that ended the hearing
Her election win prompted fierce backlash from Republican members of congress who successfully launched a bid to block McBride from using the women’s restrooms at the Capitol
McBride told ABC News she was ‘disappointed’ by the decision to end the hearing early.
‘I was prepared to move forward with my questions for the subcommittee on nuclear nonproliferation and US support for Democratic allies in Europe,’ she said.
In February, Illinois Republican Rep. Mary Miller said she ‘refused to deny biological reality’ by addressing McBride as ‘the gentleman from Delaware’ on the floor of the House.
Miller gave the introduction as McBride was set to give her first speech on the House floor.
‘The chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride, for five minutes,’ Miller said.
McBride made no retort to Miller’s words, merely saying ‘thank you, Madam Speaker’ and going on with her prepared remarks.
A fellow Democrat, Nanette Barragán of California, did attempt to deliver some form of retribution later on.
Barragán was next to talk on the floor after McBride and when Miller yielded, she said: ‘Thank you, Mr. Speaker.’
Source link
