In a groundbreaking moment in LGBTQ+ history, Sarah McBride made history on November 5 by becoming the first openly transgender elected to Congress in the United States. McBride, a state senator from Delaware, beat Republican candidate John Whalen III to win the state’s only seat in the House of Representatives. She is most known for her work in affordable childcare, paid family and medical leave, housing, health care, and reproductive freedom.
In Congress, McBride vows to support any positive policy that advances the country toward the ultimate goal of universal coverage, expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing. During her time in the state senate, she has worked to make Delaware a safe haven for reproductive care by supporting and passing every legislation regarding access and expansion to reproductive care.
Stated on McBride’s website, “Every worker deserves a living wage, basic protections, good benefits, and the support necessary for them to thrive.” She believes that the current American Dream is unaffordable and inaccessible for too many workers in the United States. As state senator, she has seen numerous Delawareans struggling under rising costs and believes that the federal government is not doing enough to support people in both their career and family. She believes that every worker deserves a living wage, basic protections, benefits, and the support that is necessary for them to thrive. Additionally, McBride intends to fight for the Build Back Better Act, President Biden’s agenda to rescue, recover, and rebuild the country, and restore paid family and medical leave, universal childcare, and investments in housing and elder care.
“Sarah was one of the first elected officials to speak out and demand action in Dover. Together with her colleagues, she took on the NRA and fought for the most significant gun safety package in state history.” McBride has helped ban assault weapons in Delaware and pass the most significant gun safety law in the state’s history, which she intends to do the same for the United States. She believes that everyone deserves to feel safe in their community from gun violence. In Congress, she promises to vote to strengthen background checks, ban assault weapons, and institute safeguards to prevent dangerous individuals from getting guns to ensure a safe country.
In Congress, McBride hopes to be known best not for her identity as a trans woman, but for her ability to champion issues on the national level.
