Al Green faced censure from House lawmakers for disrupting President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday. The vote passed 224-198, with ten Democrats breaking ranks to penalize their colleague.
During Trump’s speech, Al Green repeatedly interrupted, prompting House Speaker Mike Johnson to remove him. The 77-year-old later stated he accepted the consequences and would do it again.
“He deliberately violated House rules, and an expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy. Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort,” Johnson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The following Democrats voted “yes” to censure Al Green:
- Henry Cuellar (D-Texas)
- Ed Case (D-Hawaii)
- Don Davis (D-North Carolina)
- Chris Pappas (D-New Hampshire)
- Mary Peltola (D-Alaska)
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Washington)
- Jared Golden (D-Maine)
- Gabe Vasquez (D-New Mexico)
- Susan Wild (D-Pennsylvania)
- David Scott (D-Georgia)
After the vote, Al Green stood with fellow Democrats on the House floor, singing ‘We Shall Overcome.’ Tensions rose as Democrats confronted Republicans, particularly Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, for wearing a MAGA cap in the chamber.
Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver commented on the situation, telling the Daily Beast, “Now I’ve been told that somebody asked her to, and she said, ‘No.’ And so we end up in a situation like this, where now race is seeping into it. Two Greens violated the House rules, and one gets punished.”
The censure vote against Al Green marks a significant moment of division within the Democratic Party. The decision of ten Democrats to align with Republicans highlights internal disagreements over discipline and party unity. Green, however, remains steadfast in his stance, emphasizing his commitment to his actions despite the formal reprimand.