WASHINGTON — Representative Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, is facing a censure vote in the House on Thursday for his outburst during President Donald Trump’s address. Green has not expressed any regret for his actions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, had Green removed from the House chamber on Tuesday night after the Houston representative interrupted Trump’s speech. Green shouted at Trump after he claimed the November 5 election gave him a mandate, saying, “You have no mandate.” Johnson ordered Green to be seated, but he refused.
Republicans are moving forward with a censure resolution to formally express the House’s disapproval of Green’s behavior. If passed by a majority vote, Green will be required to stand while the resolution is read aloud.
Representative Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington and the resolution’s sponsor, described the action as a “necessary, but difficult step,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining order in the House.
The resolution is the most recent example of disruptive behavior during presidential addresses, which has occurred across the political spectrum.
Representative Jim McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, pointed out that Republicans remained silent when their own members interrupted President Joe Biden’s speech last year.
During Biden’s address, some Republicans shouted “say her name” in reference to Laken Riley, a nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan citizen who had entered the U.S. illegally. The individual had been allowed to remain in the country while his immigration case was processed.
McGovern questioned the Republicans’ silence at the time, stating, “Where were my Republican friends? Nobody apologized for interrupting Joe Biden time and again. You talk about lack of decorum. Go back and look at the tapes, and there was silence from the other side.”
The censure resolution labels Green’s actions as a “breach of proper conduct” and notes his removal after “numerous disruptions.” An attempt by Democrats to table the resolution on Wednesday failed along party lines.
Green, who is currently serving his 11th term, defended his actions on the House floor Wednesday, stating he had no regrets. Before speaking, he approached Newhouse and shook his hand, saying he didn’t blame Johnson or those who escorted him out.
“Friends, I would do it again,” Green declared.
He explained that he interrupted Trump because he disagreed with the President’s claim of having a mandate, particularly regarding potential cuts to Medicaid, a program vital to many of his constituents.
“This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience,” Green stated. “There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care.”
He concluded by saying, “on some issues that are matters of conscience, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all.”
Some Democratic lawmakers chose to skip Trump’s address, while others walked out during the speech. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had urged his colleagues to maintain a “strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber” amidst rising tensions.
Representative Jennifer McClellan, a Democrat from Virginia, acknowledged the difficulty of sitting through the speech, particularly for Green, who lived through the Civil Rights movement and is now witnessing a backlash against diversity and equity efforts.
Representative Mark Takano, a Democrat from California, supported Green, stating, “I think Al Green was telling the truth. He does not have the mandate to cut Medicaid.” Takano was among many Democrats who displayed signs with slogans like “False” during Trump’s speech.
Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, suggested that Democrats like Green “need to go get some medical help” due to their “level of derangement” during the speech.
“I think my Democratic colleagues really embarrassed themselves tonight, and their leadership should be even more ashamed of themselves. They sat there and allowed it to happen and didn’t say a word,” Lawler said.
Representative Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California and former Speaker of the House, recalled her own memorable moment during a Trump address when she tore up his speech.
“Everybody has to make their expression of how they see things. I think we should keep our focus on the president’s speech,” Pelosi said.
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