Al Green censured by House of Representatives over Trump speech outburst
House lawmakers have made the decision to censure Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, following his expulsion from President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. The incident occurred on Tuesday night, with Green being escorted out of the chamber after disrupting the beginning of the president’s speech. This move was met with bipartisan support, as ten Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the measure. Green himself voted “present” during the proceedings.
In response to the censure, Republicans quickly introduced competing resolutions to further reprimand Green. Three separate texts were drafted within hours of each other, showcasing the swift and decisive action taken by lawmakers. Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington, spearheaded one of these resolutions, which ultimately received a vote on the House floor on Thursday morning. Speaker Mike Johnson was instrumental in facilitating this process, with Newhouse reaching out to him immediately after Trump’s speech concluded on Tuesday.
The House Freedom Caucus also played a significant role in the push to censure Green, with Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas crafting his own resolution that garnered over 30 House GOP co-sponsors. Despite efforts by House Democrats to block the resolution from getting a vote, Newhouse’s maneuver to deem his resolution “privileged” forced House leaders to address the issue within two legislative days. Green’s disruptive behavior during Trump’s address, which included shouting “You have no mandate!” at the president, led to his removal by the U.S. Sergeant-at-Arms.
Green’s actions were part of a broader pattern of Democratic lawmakers engaging in protests during Trump’s speech, both silently and vocally. The House speaker challenged Democrats to vote in favor of the censure, emphasizing the importance of upholding House rules and maintaining the respect of the American people. Green, however, stood by his actions, stating that he was willing to suffer the consequences for his actions in defense of his beliefs, particularly in ensuring access to quality healthcare for all Americans.
This incident adds Green’s name to a list of recent lawmakers who have been censured on the House floor, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib, former Rep. Jamaal Bowman, and now-Sen. Adam Schiff. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the House of Representatives remains a battleground for ideological clashes and debates over the future direction of the country. Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, is at the forefront of covering these developments and providing insights into the inner workings of Congress. Her reporting sheds light on the complexities of legislative processes and the challenges faced by lawmakers in navigating a divided political landscape.
