Rep. Al Green Faces Censure for Outburst During Trump’s Address
Rep. Al Green (D-TX), known for his passionate approach, has officially been censured following his disruptive outburst during President Donald Trump’s congressional address. The censure vote occurred less than 48 hours after Green was removed from the U.S. House chamber for his behavior during Trump’s remarks. The resolution was read by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and passed with a vote of 224-198 on Thursday morning.
As the vote unfolded, a group of Democrats gathered on the House floor and began singing in protest, creating a surreal atmosphere. This unusual scene was first reported by Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman, who tweeted, “There’s now a shouting match in the House between Democrats and Republicans after the Green censure. Things are going really well here.” C-SPAN footage captured the disorder as several dozen Democrats congregated in front of Speaker Johnson, who struggled to regain order.
When the Democrats refused to disperse, Johnson called a recess to temporarily halt proceedings in an attempt to quell the unrest. On Wednesday, an unapologetic Green shared a photo of his protest on social media, stating, “Last night I stood up for those who need Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Democrats will never abandon the fight to ensure every American has a safe, healthy, and financially secure life. #ISaidWhatISaid.” His remarks followed a period of elevated inflation tied to significant spending initiatives from a Democrat-controlled Congress under then-President Joe Biden. The Democratic Party faced losses in the November elections, with Republicans successfully arguing that they were better positioned to improve the economy.
Since Trump’s presidency began, gas prices have stabilized or declined in various regions, and the inflation rate has remained steady. History shows that when energy prices decrease, transportation costs typically fall, contributing to lower consumer prices.
Green’s censure marks the third time a Democratic member of Congress has been penalized since Speaker Mike Johnson took charge in October 2023. In December 2023, former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) was censured for pulling a fire alarm to disrupt House Republicans’ legislative process, and a month prior, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MN) was censured for chanting antisemitic slogans during an anti-Israel rally.
The Democratic Party’s ongoing difficulties in effectively opposing Republican control in Washington, D.C., appear to be affecting its members’ morale. Ahead of Trump’s speech, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) had cautioned Democrats against outbursts or using props, a directive that was largely overlooked as multiple lawmakers arrived with signage and attire critical of Trump’s policies.
