House Minority Leader Jeffries says Rep. Ogles won’t remove Dems from committees
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, has responded to calls from Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee to remove Democrats from their committee assignments after a chaotic censure vote in the House. The censure vote on Thursday targeted Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, for his disruptive behavior during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress earlier in the week. Ten Democrats joined Republicans in reprimanding Green, leading to a tense standoff in the chamber as most House Democrats rallied around Green, singing “We Shall Overcome.”
Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, was forced to call a recess as efforts to regain control of the situation proved futile. In the aftermath of the vote, Ogles introduced a resolution suggesting that Democrats who participated in the protests should be stripped of their committee assignments. However, Jeffries dismissed Ogles’ proposal, stating that it “is going nowhere.”
In a video posted online, Jeffries criticized Ogles, calling him a “fraud” and asserting that no one will be removed from their committee assignments. He described the lawmakers involved in the protests as “malignant clowns” and warned Ogles not to push the issue further.
Ogles, in response, reiterated his stance that Democrats who defied the Speaker’s instructions and disrupted the House proceedings should face consequences. He emphasized the need for respectful behavior on the House floor and expressed frustration with the ongoing discord.
The clash between Jeffries and Ogles highlights the deep partisan divide in Congress and the challenges of maintaining decorum and order during contentious debates. While tensions may flare during heated moments, both sides ultimately seek to uphold the integrity of the legislative process.
As the fallout from the censure vote continues to reverberate, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will navigate the aftermath and work towards finding common ground on pressing issues facing the nation. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between political differences and the need for civility and professionalism in the halls of Congress.
