U.S. Representative Sarah McBride, a newly seated freshman from Delaware, has been appointed as the Deputy Whip for Policy by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.). The appointment places her in a key position to influence strategic and long-term policy planning within the Democratic caucus.
In a statement, McBride expressed her primary commitment to reducing costs for families in Delaware and across America. "We can achieve this by ensuring paid family and medical leave, reducing childcare expenses, and restoring the child tax credit," she noted.
McBride is charged with advising House Democratic leadership on policy priorities, focusing on practical solutions to make family life more affordable. She expressed gratitude to Whip Clark for the opportunity and mentorship.
Earlier, McBride, alongside U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), introduced a bipartisan bill targeting scams that falsely promise to improve credit scores for high fees. Her legislative history includes sponsoring the Healthy Delaware Families Act, which provides paid leave to workers.
Looking forward, McBride aims to focus on "care infrastructure," Medicare reforms, expanding healthcare access, and promoting green technologies. She also emphasizes supporting labor unions and implementing gun violence prevention measures.
McBride, who worked on Beau Biden’s campaign for Delaware attorney general in 2010, maintains a close relationship with President Joe Biden and the Biden family.
Breaking Barriers as a Transgender Lawmaker
As the first transgender member of Congress, McBride has been a trailblazer in the political realm. She was the first trans individual to address a major party convention in 2016 and served as a trans state senator before being elected to represent Delaware’s at-large congressional district in 2024.
Despite her groundbreaking role, McBride emphasizes that her focus is on achieving tangible outcomes for her constituents rather than serving as a symbolic figure. "I’m here to be a serious person," she told the Washington Post, underscoring her commitment to substantive legislative work.
Facing Transphobia in the Political Arena
McBride’s historic election has not been without challenges. House Republicans have launched transphobic attacks against her, including deliberate misgendering and discriminatory policies like barring trans women from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol.
Despite these attacks, McBride remains focused on her legislative duties, refusing to be drawn into counterproductive confrontations. She stated, "The goal of these attacks is to distract from my work and diminish my effectiveness. I refuse to give them that opportunity."
The rhetoric from some conservative lawmakers, including accusations of being a "groomer," echoes past moral panics against LGBTQ+ individuals, which experts warn are baseless and harmful.
McBride’s response to such attacks has been to maintain her focus on policy and constituents, emphasizing the power of not engaging with provocations designed to undermine her work.
As national debates continue over transgender rights and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, McBride remains a steadfast advocate for equality and justice, bringing her commitment and experience to her new role in Congress as Deputy Whip for Policy.
McBride’s story and her work resonate deeply within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, as she navigates both the challenges and opportunities of her historic position.
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