A House hearing ended abruptly Tuesday after an exchange between a Republican and a Democratic committee member over the GOP chair’s misgendering of Rep. Sarah McBride as “Mr.”, we gathered.
At the hearing hosted by the Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Europe, Rep. Keith Self, (R-Texas) recognized McBride, (D-Del.), (the only transgender in Congress) to speak and misgendered her in the process.
“I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride.”
Without missing a beat, McBride responded by thanking Self and referring to him as “madam chair.”
The subcommittee’s top Democrat, Rep. Bill Keating, of Massachusetts, then interjected and asked Self to repeat his remarks. After Self doubled down and called McBride “mister,” he said, “We have set the standard on the House floor.”
Though McBride — who has been subject to many aggressive comments from House Republicans since joining Congress in January — attempted to move on with the hearing, Massachusetts Rep. William Keating refused to let Self’s disrespectful comment slide.
Keating, 72, quickly interrupted McBride to confront Self, insisting that the chairman repeat his introduction of their colleague. Again, Self called her “Mr. McBride,” escalating the situation.
“Have you no decency?” Keating asked Self. “You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.”
Rather than giving into Keating’s request, Self decided to adjourn the meeting.
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