House Republicans are taking immediate action against Texas Democrat Rep. Al Green, who was removed from the House chamber after repeatedly disrupting President Donald Trump’s speech. On Wednesday, GOP Rep. Daniel Newhouse of Washington introduced a formal censure resolution against Green, citing his “numerous interruptions” during Trump’s address to Congress. Newhouse condemned Green’s actions as “beyond the pale,” emphasizing that the disruption lasted for an extended period, disturbing the entire evening. He argued that the House must uphold its expectations of decorum, or else it risks becoming a chaotic institution where members simply yell at one another.
Newhouse’s move is significant, especially given his centrist stance within the GOP. He previously faced backlash from conservatives for voting to impeach Trump in 2021. Some Republicans, still reeling from the GOP challenger he narrowly defeated last cycle, speculate that Newhouse is seeking to shore up his standing with Trump supporters. However, Newhouse denied these claims, stating his actions were focused on preserving the integrity of the House and its rules, rather than advancing any political agenda.
The censure resolution, which is expected to be privileged, will likely receive a floor vote within two legislative days. Although the exact timing has not been confirmed, Republicans anticipate the vote to occur later on Wednesday.
Rep. Green, for his part, expressed no anger toward Speaker of the House or the officers involved in the resolution. He acknowledged the potential consequences but defended his actions. Green stated that his outburst was driven by his passion for defending Medicaid, particularly against any potential cuts, asserting that he was speaking out of concern for those who are suffering.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that most Democrats approached the speech seriously and would not be actively opposing the censure resolution. He declined to comment on whether Republicans’ actions were appropriate. Some centrist Democrats find themselves in a difficult position, as they may need to address their colleague’s disruptive behavior, even though several other progressive Democrats engaged in protests of their own, such as shouting back at the president or holding up signs.
Meanwhile, the House Freedom Caucus announced it was drafting its own resolution. Other GOP members, including Rep. Troy Nehls, are also working on competing resolutions. The ultraconservative group had earlier warned Democrats that any interruptions during the speech would not be tolerated, declaring that they would file censure resolutions against any member who engaged in such disruptions.
Newhouse acknowledged that many Republicans were eager to back his resolution, but insisted that he was the first to approach the speaker on the issue, signaling his commitment to addressing the breach of decorum.