Washington: A dramatic moment unfolded on Wednesday during a US Senate hearing on abortion medication when Republican Senator Josh Hawley repeatedly asked an Indian-American doctor whether men can get pregnant, sparking a sharp exchange that captured nationwide attention and highlighted deep divides over gender and reproductive health.
The session, held before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, focused on the safety and regulation of medication abortion drugs such as mifepristone. Doctors, advocates, and lawmakers had gathered to discuss scientific evidence and policy, but the discussion took an unexpected turn when the senator directly questioned the medical expert on gender and pregnancy, according to C-SPAN, an American cable and satellite television network.
Dr Nisha Verma, an obstetrician-gynecologist and senior adviser with extensive experience in reproductive health, was invited to testify by Democratic lawmakers. She spoke to the committee about her clinical experience, emphasizing that abortion medications have been studied for years and are used safely by millions of women in the US.
The exchange began when Senator Hawley insisted that establishing clear biological facts was essential to the conversation. He asked Dr Verma, “Can men get pregnant?”
Taken aback, Dr Verma responded that she was uncertain about the purpose of the question and declined to provide a simple yes or no answer. She emphasized that as a clinician, she treats patients of various gender identities and that her focus is on delivering respectful, evidence-based care.
Senator Hawley pressed further, stating that the question was rooted in biological realities, not political ideology. He asserted that it is women who become pregnant and that acknowledging biological sex distinctions is critical to scientific clarity. The tension in the room grew as Dr Verma reiterated her medical perspective, while also voicing concern that framing the discussion in this way could alienate individuals who don’t fit traditional gender categories, according to a video posted on C-SPAN’s X account.
The interaction quickly drew media and public attention, illustrating how issues of gender identity have become deeply entwined with debates over reproductive rights and healthcare policy.
