Lawmakers torn on whether Democrat who interrupted Trump speech should lose committee position
Republican lawmakers in Washington are considering stripping Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, of his committee positions after he disrupted President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. While some Democrats are opposed to further punishment, GOP members are pushing for action.
Green was removed from the House chamber after interrupting Trump’s speech earlier this month and was later censured by a bipartisan group of House lawmakers. Now, members of the House Freedom Caucus are threatening a resolution to remove Green from his committee roles.
Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Greg Casar of Texas believe that Green was speaking up for the American people, particularly those on Medicare and Medicaid, and showed more respect than others who have criticized social programs. Casar and others feel that removing Green from his committee assignments would be excessive.
On the other hand, Republican representatives like Russell Fry of South Carolina and Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania view Green’s actions as a violation of House decorum. Fry called Green’s interruption “absolutely unconscionable,” while Bresnahan found it appalling that some lawmakers did not even stand to recognize a 13-year-old boy who had undergone multiple brain surgeries during the State of the Union address.
The debate over Green’s fate is ongoing, with some like Rep. William Timmons of South Carolina expressing doubt that Green will actually lose his committee positions. Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota, who voted to censure Green, is unsure of the next steps in the process.
Regardless of the outcome, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers agree that the focus should be on moving forward and addressing the needs of the American people. Green’s office has not responded to requests for comment on the situation.
Fox News Digital contributor Elizabeth Elkind assisted in the reporting of this story. Aubrie Spady is a writer for Fox News Digital.
