From PBS NewsHour.

A House subcommittee hearing on arms control, international security and U.S. assistance to Europe derailed Tuesday afternoon after members of Congress confronted each other over properly naming a congressperson who is transgender.

Rep. Keith Self, the Republican subcommittee chairman, called on Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., to question the witnesses and referred to her as “Mr. McBride.” McBride, a transgender woman, is the first transgender person elected to Congress in U.S. history.

As McBride began her turn questioning the witnesses, Rep. William Keating, the top Democrat on the subcommittee, interrupted and asked Self to repeat his introduction of McBride.

Self said his introduction was based on the fact that Republicans “have set the standard on the floor of the House.” Keating asked Self to explain the standard and added, “Would you repeat what you just said when you introduced a duly elected representative from the United States of America?”

After Self repeated his previous introduction of McBride, Keating said the congressman was “out of order.”

“Mr. Chairman,” Keating asked, “have you no decency?”

When Self said that “we will continue this hearing,” Keating said that he will not be a part of the proceeding “unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.” Self then adjourned the hearing.

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