House Votes To Censure Al Green For Disrupting Trump Speech

The House on Thursday voted to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) for his protest during President Trump’s address to Congress this week — a disruptive display that prompted his removal from the House chamber.

The House adopted the measure in a largely party-line 224-198-2 vote, making Green the 28th member of the House to receive the congressional rebuke. The censure resolution dubbed Green’s display “a breach of proper conduct.”

Ten Democrats voted with Republicans in favor of the censure. Green voted “present.”

The punishment came less than 48 hours after Green, during Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday — the first of his second term — stood up, waved his cane in the air and yelled back at the president, interrupting his speech within the first few minutes.

The protest began when Trump claimed he had a “mandate” from the American people following November’s elections, leading Green to exclaim that the president does not have a mandate at all. At one point, the longtime Texas Democrat said Trump did not have such authority to cut Medicaid, as some Republicans eye slashes to the social safety net program.

After a warning from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and a directive to “take your seat,” Green continued his vocal protest, prompting the Speaker to direct the sergeant-at-arms to remove him from the chamber. Republicans sang “hey, hey, hey, goodbye,” as Green walked off the House floor.

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