A fiery congressional hearing on Tuesday ended in chaos after Rep. William Keating (D-MA) erupted in anger over Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) referring to Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) as “Mr. McBride.”
The heated moment took place during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on arms control and U.S. assistance to Europe. Self, who chairs the committee, introduced McBride using the male honorific, prompting immediate backlash from Keating.
“I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride,” Self said.
McBride, the first openly transgender representative in Congress, responded without addressing the remark directly, joking: “Thank you, Madam Chair.”
“Mr. Chairman, could you repeat your introduction again, please?” Keating asked.
When Self reiterated, “I will. The representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride,” Keating flew into a tirade, accusing the chairman of violating House norms and lacking “decency.”
“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,” Keating fumed.
Watch:
New: Rep. Keith Self of TX referred to Rep. Sarah McBride as “Congressman” McBride in a hearing
Dem Rep. Keating lost his mind & stepped in to defend him
Things got heated so Rep. Self adjourned the hearing
Thabk you @RepKeithSelf for defending women’s rights & common sense! pic.twitter.com/xZKL09o9NT
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) March 11, 2025
Self attempted to proceed with the hearing, but Keating doubled down, shouting, “You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.”
McBride has made headlines since taking office, often clashing with Republican colleagues over gender policy. But Self’s handling of the situation highlights a growing resistance to progressive demands on language, as many Americans reject what they see as compelled speech.
With tensions this high in the House, it appears the battle over gender ideology isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
Reactions:
Tim “Sarah” McBride is a biological man and always will be. pic.twitter.com/JNnBGOKEJO
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) March 11, 2025
Congressman McBride is a man. Everyone knows it. Congressman Self just said it out loud.
This is the way
https://t.co/xPAs1QL6gf pic.twitter.com/uhbGYtsaAK
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) March 11, 2025
Rep. Keith Self is a legend for this
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 11, 2025
They called a dude a dude and it was a problem.
State of the Democrats in 2025.
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) March 11, 2025
Lying is actual indecent. Mr. McBride is a mister not a sister. Maybe that old man needs to get his eye sight checked.
— 𝒜𝓃𝒾𝓉𝒶𝐹𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓀𝑒
(@AFkokogems) March 12, 2025
Notice Mr McBride’s knight wasn’t upset that Tim referred to Rep Self as “madam”! Absurdity not being the norm is necessary, Dems refuse! pic.twitter.com/EnOe5fw7d9
— Donna Davis (@DonnaDavisHNL) March 11, 2025
Could y’all get over yourselves please? There are zero “genders” in humans, and being addressed as the opposite sex is NOT the end of the world! Y’all will live through it. Get on with business; it was said politely; insult was not intended.