The Republican chair of a US House subcommittee abruptly ended a hearing after misgendering Sarah McBride, The Guardian reported Tuesday. McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress and a Democratic congresswoman from Delaware, was repeatedly addressed as "Mr McBride" during a foreign affairs hearing.
According to The Guardian, panel chair Keith Self of Texas introduced McBride when it was her turn to speak by saying, "I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr McBride." McBride responded satirically, "Thank you, Madam Chair," before attempting to continue with her questions.
The exchange prompted Massachusetts Democrat Bill Keating to intervene, The Guardian reported. "Mr Chairman, could you repeat your instruction again, please?" Keating asked, challenging Self on his introduction. When Self repeated the same address, Keating became visibly upset, saying, "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 attempted to continue the hearing, but Keating persisted, his voice rising as he gestured toward McBride. "You will not continue it with me, unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way," Keating said, as reported by The Guardian. At that point, Self banged the gavel and declared, "This hearing is adjourned."
Trans congresswoman Sarah McBride misgendered twice at hearing. pic.twitter.com/FDI5FeuKA6
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) March 12, 2025
The hearing, which was supposed to cover "arms control, national security, and US assistance to Europe: review and reforms for the state department," ended prematurely amid increased concern over the Trump administration's treatment of European allies and its talks with Russia meant to end the war in Ukraine.
Following the incident, McBride issued a statement expressing disappointment. "I was disappointed that the chair decided to end a committee hearing early," she said. "I was prepared to move forward with my questions for the subcommittee on nuclear nonproliferation and US support for democratic allies in Europe."
Self later posted video of the confrontation online, echoing an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January. "It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female," Self wrote, according to The Guardian.
Under the Trump administration, Republicans have made attacks on transgender rights a central part of their party platform, especially targeting healthcare for trans youth, transgender troops, and official recognition of gender. President Trump declared during his inauguration speech that his government would only recognize two genders – male and female – and followed up with an executive order.
McBride has previously stated she intends to "pick her battles" and avoid rising to Republicans' provocations. "I think we are all united that attempts to attack a vulnerable community are not only mean-spirited but really an attempt to misdirect," she told CBS. "Because every single time we hear the incoming administration or Republicans in Congress talk about any vulnerable group in this country, we have to be clear that it is an attempt to distract."
She continued, "Every single time we hear them say the word 'trans', look at what they're doing with their right hand. Look at what they're doing to pick the pocket of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing social security and Medicare. Look at what they're doing, undermining workers."
Speaking to the New York Times, McBride revealed that behind the scenes some Republicans have been "warm and welcoming," though they have not defended her in public. This contrasts with her public treatment, which has included being repeatedly misgendered on the House floor and targeted with legislation by South Carolina representative Nancy Mace to ban transgender women from using women's bathrooms on Capitol Hill – a ban that was imposed in November.
