Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, has defended his decision to misgender a transgender member of Congress.

The representative sparked chaos after referring to Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del. as “Mr. McBride” during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe. McBride is the first openly transgender lawmaker in Congress and uses female pronouns.

In response to Self, McBride said, “Thank you, Madam Chair,” before beginning her remarks.

Rep. William Keating, D-Mass., said in scolding Self, “Mr. Chairman, you are out of order. Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?”

Self responded by abruptly adjourning the hearing.

In an interview with Daily Wire, Self defended his decision, saying he is not obligated to refer to McBride as a woman.

“I am a retired Green Beret,” Rep. Self said. “I’m not even sure what all the fuss is about. He is allowed to live his life — I mean, I spent 25 years on active duty defending his right to live his life as he chooses.

“I don’t have to participate in his fantasies. I am under no obligation to participate in something he chooses to portray himself as.”

McBride on Thursday accused Republicans of caring more about her gender identity than helping Americans.

“I appear to live rent free in the minds of some of my Republican colleagues,” the representative wrote via X. “I wish that they would spend even a fraction of the time that they spend thinking about me, thinking about how to lower costs for American families.”

McBride also said “I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place.”

“No matter how I’m treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. It is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” McBride wrote.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., expressed frustration with McBride’s gender identity in 2024 when she proposed a bill to require the use of Capitol Hill bathrooms to be based on biological sex only. McBride responded by saying she would accept the decision of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to enforce the rule.

“Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them,” the representative wrote.

Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.