U.S. Rep. Keith Self Cuts Committee Hearing Short after Colleague Objects to him Misgendering Trans Member

U.S. Rep. Keith Self, R-McKinney, abruptly adjourned a congressional hearing on March 11th, 2025 after being scolded for misgendering U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, who is the first openly transgender member of Congress.

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The Europe Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs was meeting about arms control when Self introduced McBride by calling her, “Mr. McBride.”

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McBride, a Delaware Democrat, replied, “Thank you, Madam Chair,” before continuing with her remarks.

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U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, D-Massachusetts, interjected, asking Self to repeat his introduction.

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Self did so, once again referring to McBride as “Mr. McBride.”

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“Mr. Chairman, you are out of order,” Keating, incredulous, shot back at him. “Mr. Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I’ve come to know you a little bit. But this is not decent.”

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Self attempted to continue the hearing as Keating went on to say that the hearing would not continue with him “unless [he introduced] a duly elected representative the right way.”

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This pushed Self to his breaking point, and he adjourned the hearing.

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Later on social media, Self wrote that “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” which comes from President Donald Trump signing an executive order in the first days of his term declaring that the federal government only recognized two sexes, and that they were not interchangeable.

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McBride did not comment on Self’s remark further at the hearing. In a statement later to reporters, McBride admitted she was “disappointed” Self ended the hearing early.