"Senator Asks Doctor: 'Can Men Get Pregnant?'"

A U.S. Senate hearing turned tense Wednesday over a basic question of biology. The exchange quickly spread across social media. During a debate on abortion policy, Republican Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt questioned Dr. Nisha Verma, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Atlanta. They repeatedly asked her if men can become pregnant. Dr. Verma explained that the term "men" typically refers to male people. She stated that men, as defined biologically, cannot get pregnant. She said pregnancy is possible for "women" and for some "transgender men" who were born female. The senators' line of questioning focused on the language used in medical and legal contexts. They suggested terms like "pregnant people" are unclear. The heated moment was part of a larger committee hearing. The hearing was about a Democratic proposal to protect abortion access nationwide.