A House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing on U.S. assistance to Europe escalated sharply on Tuesday when Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), the first openly transgender member of Congress, by referring to her as “Mr. McBride.” This incident ignited a heated exchange, prompting Ranking Member Bill Keating (D-Mass.) to challenge Self's comments.

During the hearing, as Self introduced McBride, she quickly corrected him with “Thank you, Madam Chair.” Keating then insisted that Self repeat his introduction, calling out his failure to address McBride correctly. Despite Self’s continuous misgendering, Keating firmly stated, “You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.” The tension escalated, leading to Self abruptly adjourning the session.

Following the incident, Self defended his actions on social media, aligning them with a Trump administration policy that recognizes only two sexes: male and female. Previous instances of similar misgendering have occurred, including when Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) referred to McBride as “the gentleman from Delaware.” This has sparked ongoing debates regarding respect and acknowledgment of gender identity within U.S. political discourse. McBride has previously confronted these issues with a commitment to focusing on vital policy discussions, suggesting that Republican attacks aim to distract from significant matters affecting the nation.

In a related social media post, McBride emphasized pressing economic issues, indirectly addressing the political diversion: “Now that I have your attention… Our economy is tanking because of Trump’s tariffs,” showcasing her focus on substantive issues beyond personal attacks.

For further details on the incident, visit The Hill.