The House of Representatives voted 224-198 on Thursday to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) for disrupting President Donald Trump's address to Congress earlier in the week. The measure, introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), passed with the support of all Republicans and 10 Democrats, while Green and freshman Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Ala.) voted "present."
The censure, a formal rebuke, does not strip Green of any privileges but serves as a strong condemnation of his actions. During the roll call vote, Green sat alone along the center aisle, and after the measure passed, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) read the censure resolution aloud as Democrats from the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) gathered around Green and sang "We Shall Overcome."
Republicans shouted for order as Johnson repeatedly instructed lawmakers to clear the well of the House chamber. Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) responded to the GOP's calls with, "Shame on you!" The chaotic scene led Johnson to recess the House temporarily.
Green's Protest and GOP Backlash
Green, a 20-year House veteran and former local NAACP president, disrupted Trump's Tuesday night address by standing, shaking his cane, and repeatedly shouting that Trump had "no mandate to cut Medicaid." As Trump defended his administration's proposed federal spending reductions, Green continued to yell, prompting Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) to demand, "Sit down!"
House Republicans, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), jeered at Green before Johnson instructed the sergeant-at-arms to remove him from the chamber. As Green exited, some GOP members mockingly chanted, "Na-na-na-na, hey hey hey, goodbye."
Following the incident, Green defended his actions. "I did it from my heart," he told reporters Wednesday. "People are suffering, and I was talking about Medicaid. I said you don't have a mandate to cut Medicaid." He added, "I will suffer whatever the consequences are. But truthfully, I would do it again."
Democratic Division Over Censure
While most Democrats opposed the censure resolution, 10 moderate Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans:
- Ami Bera (D-Calif.)
- Jim Costa (D-Calif.)
- Ed Case (D-Hawaii)
- Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.)
- Jim Himes (D-Conn.)
- Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.)
- Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio)
- Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.)
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.)
- Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.)
Three of these Democrats-Kaptur, Suozzi, and Gluesenkamp Perez-represent districts Trump won in 2024, adding political significance to their votes.
House Democratic leadership had urged restraint in responding to Trump's address, but the party remained split over how aggressively to challenge the administration. Some Democrats held signs, walked out, or boycotted the speech entirely, while others took a more measured approach.
Freedom Caucus Pushes Further Penalties
The House Freedom Caucus, a far-right GOP faction, is pushing for additional punishment, proposing a resolution to remove Green from the House Financial Services Committee. The group announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it expects Speaker Johnson to bring the measure to a vote next week.
Censure's Historical Context
Green becomes the 28th member of the House to be censured. The move follows recent censures of other progressive Democrats, including Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) in December 2023 for pulling a fire alarm and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) in November 2023 over comments related to Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.
The last Republican to be censured was Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) in 2021, after posting an animated video depicting violence against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and President Joe Biden.
