(OPINION) ETH – It appears that Nany Pelosi isn’t alone in the pursuit of changing gender terms with more general terms. If passed the rules would replace terms such as “mother,” “father,” “daughter,” “son,” “sister” and “brother” with “parent,” “child” and “sibling,”
Examples of other terms include the replacement of “chairman” with “chair” and “seaman” with “seafarer.” This comes as Fox News is reporting that House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., recently defended his party’s proposed new House rules for the 117th Congress.
“From my standpoint, the gender-neutral language is just consistent with an effort for the House, in the best tradition of the House, to reflect the gorgeous mosaic of the American people in the most sensitive fashion possible,” Jeffries told reporters when asked about the language.
“And the House, of course, is designed to be the institution closest to the American people to reflect the hopes, the dreams, the aspirations, the fears, concerns, anxieties, in the words of the framers the passions of the American people.” Jeffries went further to state that the closeness to the people is why members of the House serve two-year terms instead of four years like presidents, six years like senators, or lifetimes like Supreme Court justices.
However, others weren’t so open to the idea. One was, House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who stated: “This is stupid,” McCarthy tweeted Friday adding, “Signed – A father, son, and brother.” What’s even more ridiculous is that Members of Congress actually debated these new rules on the House floor today.