Rep. Sarah McBride Says Picking Her Battles Has Helped Her Find Bipartisan Success

Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, said she has been particular about when and how she responds to increased anti-trans rhetoric in the Republican Party.

“I think the biggest distinction is whether the issue is about me or whether it’s about my constituents, including my trans constituents,” McBride told NOTUS’ Oriana González on the latest episode of the On NOTUS podcast. “Those are fundamentally different dynamics. Those are fundamentally different issues. I am not in Congress to be the star of a reality TV show. I will certainly work to guarantee that my policies and my agenda get the attention that they need to be successful, but I am not there for attention’s sake.”

McBride, who was elected to Delaware’s at-large district in 2024, has faced intense scrutiny and attacks from some Republican lawmakers since winning her seat. In November 2024, Rep. Nancy Mace proposed legislation that would ban transgender women from using women’s bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol and said the bill was targeted at McBride.

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McBride encouraged House Democrats to brush off the attacks, which she said helped her later when introducing bipartisan legislation.

“Had I taken the bait and responded the way that I think those provocateurs wanted me to respond — if I had responded by throwing wine back in their face, not only would that have further incentivized their behavior because their behavior has actually diminished over time, but it would have sent a different message to my colleagues across the Congress about what I’m there to do and how I conduct myself,” McBride said.

“And I think the message I sent was that I’m there to be serious, I’m there to be substantive, and I can work with people who disagree with me,” McBride added. “And I think as a byproduct of that, I’ve been able to introduce 100% of my legislation as bipartisan legislation.”

McBride worked with Republican Reps. Mike Lawler and Mike Flood to unanimously pass her first bill in the House in July, which sought to expand investment access for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

McBride said this commitment to bipartisanship has buoyed her legislative pushes.

“I’m realistic about the opportunities for progress in this Congress and the need for bipartisanship in this Congress,” McBride said. “But I also recognize that bipartisan policy is often more durable policy. If you want to craft lasting change, it is much more likely that bipartisan policy will sustain and survive future swings in an election.”

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