Rep. Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware and the first openly transgender member of Congress, stated that she is staying focused on her duties and is not giving in to the Republicans’ attempts to provoke her over a restroom policy that restricts her access to women’s restrooms in the House. The policy was informally implemented by Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, in November and was recently renewed at the start of the new session of Congress. It was originally proposed by Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, in response to McBride’s election.
Despite some criticism from the trans community for not pushing back more forcefully against the policy, McBride emphasized her commitment to serving her constituents and not allowing distractions. She believes that the bathroom policy was a deliberate tactic to undermine her effectiveness and provoke a response, but she is determined not to play into that strategy. McBride explained that she sees the real disobedience as claiming her seat in Congress and facing the challenges with dignity and resolve.
While acknowledging the concerns of some in the trans community who want to see her fight back, McBride stressed the importance of not allowing Republicans to manipulate her into reacting the way they want. She highlighted the need to focus on the work at hand and build relationships with colleagues across party lines to deliver results for all constituents.
In light of the ongoing challenges related to the policy and the broader issue of trans rights, McBride expressed gratitude for the warm reception she has received from her colleagues in Congress. She remains committed to working with anyone who is serious about addressing important issues and delivering for the people they represent.
It’s crucial to recognize LGBTQ individuals as real people, capable legislators, and deserving participants in public life, as stated by McBride. In a historic move during her initial days in Congress, McBride, a freshman Democrat, co-introduced the bipartisan Ending Scam Credit Repair Act with Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif. The purpose of this legislation is to shield consumers from deceitful credit repair companies that overcharge and make false promises regarding credit score improvement.
McBride expressed the significance of closing existing loopholes in federal laws that allow these entities to exploit hardworking individuals with baseless and costly assurances. Despite her demanding schedule, McBride, a self-professed enthusiast of history and politics from an early age, admitted to feeling profound reverence upon entering the Capitol Building each day.
In her words, “You’re in a chamber where they passed the 13th Amendment and the 14th Amendment, where women got the right to vote, where Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid were created, where the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act were passed.”
McBride highlighted the gravity of the responsibility that comes with the job, emphasizing the importance of always feeling the weight of history in the air. She suggested that once that feeling dissipates, it might be time to consider a different profession.
Despite her intensive commitments in Washington, D.C., McBride prioritizes returning to Delaware whenever possible. Her routine typically involves overnight stays in the capital only during late voting sessions. Her frequent travel has led to a late-night dining habit that recently gained attention.
In a candid interview with The Washington Post, McBride disclosed her go-to meal from a combined Taco Bell and KFC location in Wilmington, Delaware: cheese nachos, five tacos, eight chicken tenders, and three drumsticks. Responding to inquiries about her meal choice and the consecutive fast-food visits, McBride lauded the convenience of having both establishments in a single drive-thru.
Regarding her meal selections, she noted, “KFC is not my favorite fried chicken. Taco Bell is not even Tex-Mex — it’s its own thing. But you give me a place where I can get both in one drive-thru — and it’s often open until midnight, and I work pretty late — I’m going to have to take advantage of it.”
Following concerns about the health implications of her order, McBride clarified to NBC News and her social media followers that the elaborate meal is not a nightly occurrence.
