Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of the U.S. House of Representatives, played a central role in lobbying Republican lawmakers ahead of a closely contested House vote on a sweeping anti-transgender bill that seeks to criminalize gender-affirming care for minors.
The bill, introduced by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, passed the House earlier this week by a narrow margin. The legislation would impose federal criminal penalties on medical providers who offer gender-affirming care to transgender youth and could also expose parents and caregivers to legal consequences for supporting that care.
According to multiple Democratic lawmakers, McBride worked behind the scenes to engage moderate Republicans who were seen as potentially persuadable. Her efforts focused on urging lawmakers to reject what critics describe as an unprecedented federal intrusion into private medical decision-making.
Representative Becca Balint of Vermont said McBride personally reached out to Republican colleagues to explain the real-world impact of the bill on transgender youth and their families. Balint described McBride as willing to speak with any lawmaker, regardless of party, if there was a chance to reduce harm.
Those efforts resulted in four Republicans voting against the bill. The lawmakers who broke with their party were Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mike Lawler of New York, Mike Kennedy of Utah, and Gabe Evans of Colorado. While the defections were not enough to stop passage, they marked a rare moment of bipartisan resistance to high-profile anti-trans legislation in the House.
At the same time, three Democrats voted in favor of the measure. Representatives Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, along with Representative Don Davis of North Carolina, joined Republicans in supporting the bill, a move that drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates and civil rights organizations.
McBride publicly condemned the legislation, arguing that it politicizes healthcare and targets a small and vulnerable population for political gain. She has repeatedly stated that medical decisions involving transgender youth should remain between families and qualified healthcare professionals, not federal lawmakers.
Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, oppose the bill and maintain that gender-affirming care is evidence-based and can be critical to the well-being of transgender youth.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Senate Democrats have indicated strong opposition, and procedural rules make passage far less likely without significant bipartisan support.
McBride’s involvement underscores her growing influence within Congress as debates over transgender rights intensify. Her approach, centered on direct engagement and coalition-building, reflects a broader effort by Democrats to challenge anti-trans policies while navigating an increasingly polarized political environment.
As the bill advances, advocates warn that continued legislative efforts targeting transgender healthcare could deepen fear and instability for transgender families nationwide.
