In November, two weeks after Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware became the first trans member of Congress,
Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a bill that would forbid transgender women from using female restrooms in the U.S.
Capitol, which was McBride's new workplace.
And when asked if this was in direct response to McBride's win,
Mace responded with quote, yes, and absolutely, and then some.
I'm not going to stand for a man, you know, someone with a penis is in the woman's locker room.
That's not okay.
And then last month, in March, at a house hearing, I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr.
McBride, Representative Keith South of Texas introduced McBride by misgendering her to which she replied.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Ranking member Keating also wonderful.
That is the biggest takeaway for me.
One of the biggest takeaways for me is how much Congress is sadly a reality TV show,
meaning that it's performative and meaning that the goal of the day is to get airtime.
And in order to get airtime, the easiest way is to use the strategies of folks on Bravo TV shows where to get airtime,
you pick a person, pick a fight with them, throw a wine in their face, and that gets airtime.
And that's the not only the strategy,
but really the defining feature of what is a win versus a loss for a lot of the Republican members of Congress.
This is Radio Atlantic.
I'm Hannah Rosen.