WASHINGTON (TNND) — The House voted to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, on Thursday after he repeatedly disrupted President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.
The resolution was adopted in a 224-198 vote. Ten Democrats voted to censure Green.
He ended up being removed by the House sergeant at arms Tuesday at the direction of House Speaker Mike Johnson after refusing to take his seat and yelling toward the lectern when Trump said the Nov. 5 election had delivered a governing mandate not seen for many decades.
“You have no mandate,” the Houston lawmaker said while shaking a cane.
“He deliberately violated House rules, and an expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy,” Johnson wrote on X. “Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort.”
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., formally introduced the resolution on the House floor Wednesday and Democrats fell short of blocking the effort.
“The sheer disregard for decorum during the President’s address from my colleague is unacceptable,” Newhouse said. “A Member’s refusal to adhere to the Speaker’s direction to cease such behavior, regardless of their party, has and will continue to be reprimanded in the people’s House.”
A censure is a formal reprimand by the House for violations of the chamber’s code of conduct.
Green defended his actions Wednesday, saying, “I would do it again.”
“Last night I stood up for those who need Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,” he wrote on X. “Democrats will never abandon the fight to make sure every American has a safe, healthy, and financially secure life.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday that the way Democrats handled themselves during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress was “shameful.”
“It was the most shameful moment in the history of presidential addresses in that beautiful chamber,” Leavitt said. “It’s sad — and frankly pathetic,” she added.
