The House of Representatives took a major step toward censuring Rep. Al Green (D-TX) following his disruptive behavior during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
In a narrow 211-209 vote, the House approved advancing the censure resolution against Green, who was escorted out by the House Sergeant at Arms after refusing to follow decorum during Trump’s speech, Breitbart News reported.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) interrupted Trump’s speech when Democrats began showing unruly behavior, warning them to observe proper House decorum.
“Mr. President, members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions,” Johnson said. “That’s your warning.”
When Green and some other Democrats continued to exhibit the bad behavior, Johnson warned them that the chair was “prepared to direct the Sergeant at Arms to restore order to the joint session.”
“Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant at Arms to restore order to the joint session,” Johnson said.
The Speaker proceeded to ask Green to stop his outburst and take his seat several times before finally instructing the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the Texas Democrat from the chamber.
“Find that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the Chair now directs the Sergeant at Arms to restore order,” Johnson stated.
In the aftermath of the incident, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced a resolution to censure Green over his behavior, which said in part: “Whereas, the conduct of the Representative from Texas disrupted the proceedings of the joint address and was a breach of proper conduct; and whereas, after numerous disruptions the representative from Texas had to be removed from the chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms; Now, therefore, be it resolved that Representative Al Green be censured.”
Some observers noted the narrow passage of the motion to censure, criticizing Democrats for refusing to support it and essentially promoting unruly and improper behavior in the chamber.
🚨 #BREAKING: The House of Representatives just voted 211-209 to move forward with the censure of deranged Al Green
How the hell is it that not a SINGLE DEMOCRAT voted to condemn this behavior?
A final vote on the matter is scheduled for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/63f71jBAGE
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 5, 2025
Johnson called for Green to be censured for his “shameful” protest immediately after Trump’s Tuesday night address.
“Absolutely shameful. He should be censured,” Johnson said when asked by The Hill about the protest. “It’s a spectacle that was not necessary. He’s made history in a terrible way, and I hope he enjoys it.”
“If they want to make a 77-year-old heckling Congressman the face of their resistance, if that’s the Democrat party, so be it,” he added. “But we will not tolerate it on the House floor.”
Johnson stated he was “quite certain” that many House Republicans would introduce a resolution to censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) for his disruptive protest, adding that he would “absolutely” bring it to the floor for consideration, the report said.
The incident occurred just minutes into Trump’s speech on Tuesday night, as the president was discussing his “mandate” to serve. Green, a 20-year House veteran, suddenly stood up and began shouting in defiance, insisting Trump had no mandate.
In response, Republicans erupted into chants of “USA” as security moved to remove Green from the chamber.
After Green refused to be quiet and sit down and Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to remove the lawmaker from the chamber, Republicans started singing “Hey, hey, hey, goodbye” to Green.
The Democratic lawmaker was unrepentant when questioned about his behavior after being led out of the chamber.
“It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up” to Trump, Green said.
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