Measure to Punish an Unhinged Al Green Passes Hurdle

On Wednesday, a resolution to reprimand Representative Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, cleared a procedural hurdle, paving the way for a full House vote. The measure, introduced by Representative Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington, comes amid widespread Republican frustration with Democrats who protested during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress the previous day.

Democrats attempted to table the resolution, which would have effectively blocked it, but their effort failed. This sets the stage for a vote on the censure resolution later this week. According to sources, Newhouse had been in discussions with House GOP leadership about the resolution since shortly after Trump’s speech concluded.

Several resolutions targeting Green for interrupting Trump’s address had been circulating among House Republicans, but Newhouse’s version appears to have the backing of GOP leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, described Green’s actions as "unprecedented" in the modern era, emphasizing that the protest was not a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate and prolonged disruption.

During Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday night, the 77-year-old Texas Democrat repeatedly interrupted the president, shouting, "You have no mandate," as Trump highlighted Republican electoral victories. Green was eventually removed from the House chamber by the U.S. Sergeant-at-Arms at the direction of Speaker Johnson.

Despite being ejected, Green remained defiant, telling reporters outside the chamber that he was prepared to face any consequences for his actions. "I’m willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me," Green said, according to a White House press pool report. He added that his protest was a stand against what he described as the president’s efforts to undermine Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

In addition to Newhouse’s resolution, Representative Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, has introduced his own censure measure, which has garnered over 30 GOP co-sponsors. Meanwhile, the House Freedom Caucus is supporting a third resolution led by Representative Eli Crane, a Republican from Arizona, further intensifying the push to hold Green accountable for his actions.