The US Congress has moved to censure Texas Democrat Al Green, who was expelled from the House chamber on Tuesday for interrupting President Donald Trump’s address to the nation.
Green, a veteran member of the Democratic party, faced repercussions for heckling and waving his cane at Trump during the president’s joint session of Congress.
The resolution, characterizing Green’s actions as “a breach of proper conduct,” was approved by a vote of 224 to 198, with ten Democrats joining the Republicans in favor of censure.
Following the vote, Green was instructed to stand in the well of the House chamber as the resolution was read aloud.
The outcome of the vote sparked a heated exchange between Republicans and Democrats present in the chamber.
Green and other Democrats began singing “We Shall Overcome,” which visibly annoyed some Republicans, escalating tensions further.
At one point, Republican Dan Meuser remarked to Democrat Ayanna Pressley, “Al was wrong,” prompting Pressley to reply, “your members do the same thing,” as reported by The Hill.
In a social media post prior to the vote, Green indicated that he anticipated his censure was forthcoming.
“During the 10:00 hour ET, Congressman Al Green will face censure this morning for standing up to President Trump,” Green shared on X.
Green’s fellow Democrats endeavored to hinder the censure vote, arguing that his act of standing, waving his cane, and heckling Trump was a legitimate form of protest.
The motion for censure was initiated by Congressman Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington, who noted that calling for Green’s censure was not an effortless decision.
“We cannot overlook the deliberate disruption intended to halt a proceeding,” Newhouse stated on Wednesday. “Without decorum, without respect, what do we have? What do we truly have?”
Just moments into Trump’s address on Tuesday, Green stood and declared, “Mr. President, you don’t have a mandate!” in reference to potential Medicaid cuts.
House Speaker Mike Johnson instructed Green to return to his seat and “maintain decorum,” but Green refused. Consequently, Johnson ordered his removal from the chamber.
A staunch critic of President Trump, Green had previously called for the president’s impeachment during his first term.
Censure represents a formal statement of disapproval that necessitates a majority vote in the House to be passed; it does not result in a member’s removal from Congress.
While censure is relatively uncommon, it has become more frequent in recent years.
In 2023, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, was censured for remarks she made regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Additionally, in 2023, former Congressman Jamaal Bowman was censured for falsely activating a fire alarm during a congressional session.
In total, 28 members have been censured in the House.
