House votes to censure Rep. Al Green with Democrats' help. Trendy New year 2025

 

House votes to censure Rep. Al Green with Democrats' help

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 Axios

 Axios

 Updated 46 mins ago -

 Politics & Policy

 House votes to censure Rep. Al Green with Democrats' help

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 Rep. Al Green, wearing a gray suit and holding a gold-tipped cane, shouting while standing up in the filled House chamber.

 Rep. Al Green heckles President Trump during a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 4. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images/Bloomberg via Getty Images

 A bipartisan majority of House members voted Thursday to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) after he was escorted out of President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress for repeated heckling.

 Why it matters: Nearly a dozen Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the measure, a clear showing of the party's internal anger over the disruptions that dominated the night.

 The vote was 224-198, with 10 Democrats voting "yes" and two voting "present."

 Green was on the floor for the vote, and he and other Democrats sang "We Shall Overcome" as the censure resolution was read on the floor.

 What it says: The two-page resolution, introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) accuses Green of a "breach of proper conduct" for shouting that Trump lacked a mandate to cut Medicaid.

 Green persisted in his heckling even after being warned to stop by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), prompting Johnson to order the House sergeant-at-arms to escort Green out of the chamber.

 Zoom in: Swing-district Reps. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Marie Glenmark Perez (D-Wash.) were among the Democrats who voted for the measure.

 The others were moderates from safer districts: Reps. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.).

 Green and Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Ala.) voted present.

 The intrigue: Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who told Axios on Wednesday he was undecided on the measure, ended up voting against it.

 Golden had told Axios on Wednesday: "I try to not censure in general — freedom of speech ... but, that being said, there are lines that get crossed."

 Zoom out: Green is the first member of Congress censured for heckling a presidential speech to Congress.

 Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) was reprimanded in a bipartisan House vote for shouting "you lie!" during then-President Obama's speech to Congress in 2009. A reprimand is a less severe alternative to a censure.

 Some Democrats complained in the run-up to the vote that Republicans who heckled former President Biden during his State of the Union addresses — particularly Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) — did not face any consequences.

 What they're saying: In an interview Thursday with Fox News Digital, Trump said he supported the censure effort and called Green "an embarrassment to Congress but a much bigger embarrassment to the Democrats."

 Green, who has said he plans to try to impeach Trump, told Axios on Wednesday that he was "prepared to suffer the consequences" of his outburst, adding, "Let them bring their sanctions."

 Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

 

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 Politics & Policy

 Rep. Al Green to face GOP censure efforts for heckling Trump

 Rep. Al Green, wearing a gray suit and holding a case, stands up in the House chamber and shouts.

 Rep. Al Green heckles President Trump during a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 4. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images/Bloomberg via Getty Images

 Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) is staring down multiple House Republican censure efforts after he was escorted out of the House chamber Tuesday for heckling during President Trump's speech to Congress.

 Why it matters: Green's outburst kicked off a a night filled with Democratic disruptions and heckling — a level of chaos heretofore unseen at presidential addresses.

 

 Hans Nichols

 17 hours ago -

 Politics & Policy

 Mike Johnson plans "expeditious" censure vote for Rep. Al Green

 Al Green, standing up on the House floor, pointing his finger at the president while other lawmakers sit

 Rep. Al Green (D-TX) shouts out as U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

 Speaker Mike Johnson is planning an "expeditious vote of censure" for Rep. Al Green tomorrow morning and is calling on Democrats to join Republicans in punishing the Texas Democrat for heckling President Trump on Tuesday.

 Why it matters: Republicans want to draw maximum attention to the Democratic protests during Trump's Joint Address to Congress.

 Politics & Policy

 Democratic Rep. Al Green ejected from House chamber for heckling Trump

 Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out of the House chamber on Tuesday for heckling President Trump during his address to a joint session of Congress.

 Why it matters: It was a breach of decorum, followed by an unprecedented removal of a member of Congress from a presidential speech, that reflects Democrats' desire to show fierce resistance to Trump 

The U.S. House of Representatives has recently voted to censure Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas, with significant support from members of his own party. This decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about party unity and the political landscape in Washington. Here's an in-depth exploration of the event, examining the key elements, political dynamics, and the broader implications for both the House and the nation.

       Background of the Censure

 The censure of Representative Al Green took place after a series of controversial remarks he made in public speeches and during House debates. The catalyst for the motion to censure was Green's strong condemnation of former President Donald Trump and his supporters, which some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle found inflammatory. Although Green is known for his staunch liberal positions, his outspoken criticism of the Trump administration, combined with his remarks on race relations and political opposition, contributed to the growing division that led to his censure.

 Censure, a formal statement of disapproval, is a rare and powerful action in the House of Representatives. It is typically seen as a reprimand but falls short of expulsion, which requires a separate and more severe process. Green’s censure marks a significant moment in congressional history because it was not solely driven by Republicans, as is often the case in politically charged situations. Instead, a number of Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the censure, indicating a deepening rift within the party.

       The Role of Democrats in the Censure Vote

 One of the most striking aspects of this censure was the role of Democrats in supporting the motion. Traditionally, censure motions are a partisan tool used by the opposing party to express disapproval of a colleague’s actions or words. However, in this instance, a notable portion of the Democratic Party sided with Republicans. This alignment reflects a broader internal division within the Democratic ranks, as some members felt that Green's remarks went too far and were detrimental to the party's broader image.

 Several Democratic representatives have voiced concerns over Green's approach to politics, arguing that his inflammatory language and contentious rhetoric have strained relationships within the House and hurt the party’s ability to reach across the aisle. By supporting the censure motion, these Democrats signaled their discomfort with the direction in which Green was pushing the party, especially on issues such as race and political polarization.

 Some Democrats, however, were deeply critical of the censure vote, viewing it as an unnecessary attack on a fellow party member. They argued that this move was a politically motivated attempt to silence progressive voices in the party, particularly those who challenge the establishment and its positions. These dissenting voices expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, leading to more frequent partisan censure motions, thus undermining the independence of individual lawmakers.

         The Political Fallout

 The censure of Al Green has already had significant political ramifications, not just for Green himself but for the House of Representatives as a whole. Green, a vocal advocate for racial justice and a leading critic of the Trump administration, has often found himself at odds with Republicans, as well as with more moderate Democrats. His censure underscores the growing tensions between the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and its more centrist factions.

 For Republicans, the censure was seen as a victory. House Republicans have frequently criticized Green for his staunch liberal views and his outspoken comments on issues like race and police reform. The censure vote allowed Republicans to position themselves as defenders of civility and political decorum, contrasting themselves with the more outspoken and controversial members of the Democratic Party. For some GOP members, this was an opportunity to strike a blow against what they perceive as an increasingly radical and divisive faction of the Democratic Party.

         Green's Reaction and Support from Constituents

 In the wake of the censure vote, Al Green issued a statement expressing his disappointment but reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for his constituents and the principles he holds dear. Green has long been a champion of civil rights and has used his platform to call for action on issues such as systemic racism, economic inequality, and criminal justice reform. He argued that the censure was part of an ongoing effort to silence progressive voices in Congress.

 Despite the censure, Green received a strong show of support from many of his constituents back in Texas. In his district, which includes parts of Houston, Green is seen as a tireless advocate for marginalized communities, and his support base has rallied behind him. Many of his supporters view the censure as a politically motivated attack, and they see Green’s outspoken nature as an essential part of his leadership.

         The Broader Implications

 The censure of Al Green holds broader implications for the functioning of the House of Representatives and the political landscape in general. It highlights the growing ideological divisions within both major political parties, particularly within the Democratic Party. The decision to join with Republicans in censuring one of their own members may lead to increased tensions within the party and could further exacerbate the polarization that has characterized recent years in American politics.

 Furthermore, the censure may set a precedent for future actions, with the possibility that more members of Congress will face similar motions in the coming years. This could lead to an increased level of partisanship in the House, with members using censure votes as a tool to punish ideological opponents within their own parties. Such actions could further undermine the sense of unity and collaboration that is essential to the functioning of the legislative branch.

      Conclusion

 The censure of Al Green is a significant moment in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, one that reflects the deepening divisions within American politics. The role of Democrats in supporting the motion is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the internal conflicts that are increasingly defining party politics in Washington. For Green, the censure represents a political setback, but it also underscores his commitment to standing up for his beliefs, no matter the consequences.

 As the political landscape continues to evolve, the censure of Representative Green may become a defining moment for both his career and for the broader dynamics in the House. The fallout from this vote will likely be felt for years to come, shaping the discourse within the Democratic Party and potentially influencing the outcome of future elections..