Democratic Rep. Bill Keating calls out Republicans after Keith Self misgenders Sarah McBride

Keith Self misgenders Sarah McBride, prompting Bill Keating to call out his actions and to the hearing’s abrupt end.

A House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing was cut short on Tuesday following a tense exchange between Republican Rep. Keith Self and Democratic Rep. Bill Keating over the misgendering of Rep. Sarah McBride. McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, was addressed by Self as “Mr. McBride” during the session, sparking immediate backlash from Keating.

Self, the subcommittee chair, made the mistake while recognizing McBride to speak at the hearing, stating, “I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride.” McBride, unflustered, responded with “Thank you, Madam Chair,” attempting to correct the misgendering with grace. However, Keating, visibly upset, quickly interjected, demanding that Self correct his remarks.

After Self insisted on referring to McBride as “Mr. McBride” again, claiming it was “the standard on the House floor,” Keating fired back, calling the remarks “not decent.” “Mr. Chairman, you are out of order,” Keating declared. “Mr. Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I have come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent.”

The confrontation led to Self adjourning the hearing. “You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way,” Keating told Self. Afterward, Self ended the session and struck his gavel as members filed out of the room. Keating was seen patting McBride on the shoulder in a gesture of support.

McBride, visibly disappointed by the disruption, said in a statement, “I was disappointed that the Chair decided to end a committee 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.”

In response to the incident, Self defended his actions on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” a sentiment echoed in President Donald Trump’s January executive order, which excluded federal recognition of transgender identities.

It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. https://t.co/cVcYdPWa1O

— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) March 11, 2025

The misgendering incident is part of a larger pattern of transphobic behavior from some Republican members of Congress. Earlier this year, Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) referred to McBride as “the gentleman from Delaware,” a phrase that was revised by the Congressional Record.

McBride’s ongoing battle for respect in Congress continues to highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding trans rights, especially as GOP members persist in undermining the legitimacy of transgender individuals in public office.