House Votes to Censure Rep. Al Green for Disrupting President Trump’s Address

WASHINGTON : The House of Representatives voted on Thursday to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, following his disruption of President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. The decision underscores ongoing tensions between the two major political parties regarding decorum and governance within the chamber.

Green, who was joined by more than 20 fellow Democrats, stood in the well of the House as Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., read the censure resolution aloud. In a dramatic display, Green and several colleagues began singing “We Shall Overcome,” a historical anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, prompting Republicans to shout for order. As the disruption continued, Speaker Johnson declared a recess.

The censure resolution, passed by a largely party-line vote of 224-198, saw ten Democrats supporting the measure while no Republicans voted against it. The action was taken after Green had vocally interrupted President Trump’s speech on Tuesday night, challenging the president’s assertion that the Nov. 5 election granted him an overwhelming governing mandate. Green, shaking his cane, loudly contested the claim, exclaiming, “You have no mandate,” before refusing to comply with Speaker Johnson’s directive to take his seat. As a result, he was removed from the chamber.

Political Reactions and Partisan Divide

The Republican-led House moved swiftly to censure Green, signaling its disapproval of his actions. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who sponsored the resolution, defended the measure as a necessary step toward maintaining order in the chamber.

“This resolution is offered in all seriousness,” Newhouse stated. “It is something we must do to uphold the integrity of this hallowed chamber.”

Democratic lawmakers, however, expressed frustration over what they perceive as inconsistent enforcement of decorum rules. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., acknowledged the concerns raised by Green’s allies, stating that they believe disciplinary measures are disproportionately applied to Democrats.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Republicans had not been censured for interrupting Democratic President Joe Biden’s previous addresses.

“Well, what we were just speaking about is that there is not, in terms of rules of decorum, a consistent standard,” Pressley said. “Republican colleagues have engaged in similar behavior without facing punitive consequences.”

A Broader Debate on Conduct in Congress

The censure of Green highlights a broader pattern of disruptions during presidential addresses in recent years. Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts noted that Republicans had similarly interrupted President Biden in the past. He referenced an incident where GOP members chanted “Say her name” during Biden’s speech in relation to the tragic killing of nursing student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant.

“Nobody apologized for interrupting Joe Biden time and again,” McGovern remarked. “You talk about lack of decorum—go back and look at the tapes, and there was silence from the other side.”

Before the vote, Speaker Johnson defended the censure resolution on social media, stating that Green had “disgraced the institution of Congress and the constituents he serves.”

“He deliberately violated House rules,” Johnson wrote. “An expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy. Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort.”

Green Stands by His Actions

Despite the censure, Green remained defiant. Addressing the House floor on Wednesday, he expressed no regret for his protest. Before speaking, he shook hands with Rep. Newhouse, emphasizing that he did not hold any personal grudges against those who enforced his removal from the chamber.

“Friends, I would do it again,” Green declared. “This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience.”

Green justified his actions by arguing that President Trump lacks a mandate to enact policies that would cut essential programs such as Medicaid, which many of his constituents rely upon.

“There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care,” Green stated. “On some issues that are matters of conscience, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all.”

The censure vote comes amid broader partisan tensions in the House, particularly regarding budgetary priorities. Last week, House Republicans passed a budget blueprint proposing approximately $880 billion in spending reductions over ten years, including potential cuts to Medicaid. Democrats have warned that such reductions would be devastating, while Trump has publicly stated that Medicaid will remain untouched.

Democratic Opposition and Previous Acts of Protest

The controversy surrounding Green’s censure is not an isolated event. Several Democratic lawmakers chose to boycott Trump’s address, while others staged silent protests. Many, including Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., held up signs reading “False” to counter the president’s claims.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reflected on past instances of protest, including her well-known act of tearing up Trump’s speech during a previous State of the Union address.

“Everybody has to make their expression of how they see things,” Pelosi commented. “I think we should keep our focus on the president’s speech.”

As political divisions remain stark, the censure of Rep. Al Green serves as yet another flashpoint in the ongoing struggle over governance, decorum, and the boundaries of protest in the House of Representatives.

Source:https://apnews.com/article/house-censure-green-trump-joint-address-61d82026983c99a269209bbeb32b45a5