Rep. Sarah McBride on what Democrats can still get done
Feb 11, 2025
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Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress from Delaware, opens up about her bipartisan approach in the House. She discusses her goal to reform the credit repair industry and emphasizes collaboration over conflict. McBride confronts the challenges faced by the Democratic Party during the Trump administration and highlights the urgent need for renewed leadership. She also tackles complex trans rights issues, particularly in sports, advocating for informed public discourse and creative political engagement to mobilize voters.
Rep. Sarah McBride emphasizes the importance of bipartisan collaboration in Congress, highlighting a bill aimed at predatory credit repair organizations co-sponsored with a Republican.
Despite the challenges faced by the Democratic Party, McBride advocates for effective communication and public engagement on issues impacting the transgender community to foster understanding.
Deep dives
Bipartisan Efforts in Congress
Congresswoman Sarah McBride aims to foster bipartisan collaboration, as showcased by her introduction of a bipartisan bill targeting predatory credit repair organizations. This initiative, co-sponsored by a Republican, reflects her determination to work across party lines, despite facing hostility from some members due to her transgender identity. McBride acknowledges the challenge of building relationships in Congress, emphasizing that maintaining civility is crucial for effective governance. She believes that friendly interactions can prevent division and enable collaboration on critical issues, underscoring the importance of finding common ground.
Democratic Leadership and Strategy
McBride discusses the current state of the Democratic Party in the face of a divided Congress and a Republican White House, highlighting a lack of cohesive leadership following the November 2024 elections. As Democrats navigate their minority status, they face challenges in communication and consensus-building, which are critical for political strategy. She identifies House and Senate leaders as key voices but recognizes a need for reflection and new leadership approaches to effectively address constituents' urgent concerns about the administration's policies. In this context, setting realistic expectations for what the minority caucus can achieve is essential, including focusing on leveraging public outcry to counter legislative threats from the current administration.
Engaging Public Opinion on Trans Rights
In addressing the current political landscape, McBride emphasizes the significance of maintaining public engagement on issues affecting transgender individuals, especially in light of policies introduced by the Trump administration. She articulates the delicate balance between advocating for trans rights and recognizing widespread societal concerns, underscoring the need to meet people where they are in discussions. McBride suggests that understanding public sentiment does not equate to compromising core beliefs but rather involves facilitating dialogue that addresses misconceptions and educates the public. She advocates for a strategic approach to activism, focusing on broader understanding while also opposing harmful rhetoric and actions that undermine the trans community.
Sarah McBride was elected to the House of Representatives in 2024, representing Delaware's lone congressional district — and becoming the first openly transgender member of Congress.
She’s become a target for her conservative colleagues — but she’s also determined to work with Republicans. She joins Martine Powers to talk about how she makes that work and what she thinks Democrats can do now.
Rep. Sarah McBride is part of “Post Next 50,” The Post’s project profiling 50 people shaping our society in 2025. The full list can be found here.
Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Thank you to Lucas Trevor.