Congressman William Keating of Massachusetts refused to accept US Rep. Keith Self of Texas’s misgendering of Delaware Congresswoman Sarah McBride at a House Congressional panel hearing last week. The result? National news praising Keating’s support for McBride, for basic civility and for McBride’s strength of character in the face of unabashed bigotry.
Reports the Boston Globe:
Keating is the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, and McBride, a Democrat from Delaware, also sits on the panel.
During a House hearing Tuesday, Representative Keith Self, the panel chairman, referred to McBride as “mister” during the proceedings.
“The chair now recognizes the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride,” Self said.
McBride, who seemed visibly annoyed by Self’s words, responded quietly but with intent.
“Thank you, Madam Chair,” she said and appeared ready to begin questioning hearing witnesses.
Self did not respond to McBride.
But Keating, who was sitting next to Self, a first-term Republican from Texas, paused for a moment after hearing him misgender McBride before angrily questioning the lawmaker’s language.
“Mr. Chairman, could you repeat your introduction, please,” Keating said as he turned to Self.
Self replied by saying he was following rules set by the Republican-controlled House, an apparent reference to last fall’s decision to ban transgender people in the Capitol and House buildings from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity.
“We have set a standard on the floor of the House and I’m simply…,” Self said before Keating interrupted him.
“Mr. Chairman, would you repeat what you just said? You introduced a duly elected representative from the United States of America,” Keating said, challenging Self for a second time.
“I will,” Self replied, according to a YouTube recording of the session. “The representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride.”
Keating responded to Self’s second misgendering of McBride with a direct challenge to his ethics.
“You are out of order. Mr. Chairman. Have you no decency? I mean, I have come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent,” Keating said to Self.
Keating insisted that the hearing would not continue unless Self used the correct gender when introducing McBride.
“You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way,” Keating told Self.
At that moment, Self stood up and slammed his gavel down.
“This hearing is adjourned,” he said as Keating and other lawmakers left the hearing room.
Keating is a longtime Massachusetts politician who was first elected to Congress in 2010. A moderate Democrat, he previously served in the state legislature and as Norfolk district attorney.
He tends to be a quiet operator in Washington, focused heavily on foreign policy and regional infrastructure issues affecting his coastal district, which encompasses the Cape and Islands. He has rarely been known to grab the spotlight or generate headlines
Through a spokesman, Keating declined an interview request Wednesday.
“Congressman Keating does not feel there is a need for any additional comments as the video speaks for itself,” the spokesman wrote in a text message.
Read the complete Boston Globe story here.
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