On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 224-198 to formally censure Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, for interrupting President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. The censure, a significant rebuke, does not remove Green from office but serves as a formal condemnation of his actions.
The vote fell largely along party lines, with ten Democrats joining Republicans in favor of the resolution. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., presided over the proceedings, which were briefly disrupted when Green and several Democratic colleagues began singing “We Shall Overcome” in protest. The outburst prompted Johnson to call a temporary recess to restore order.
This censure marks Green as the 28th member in U.S. history to face such disciplinary action, reflecting the heightened partisan tensions in Congress.
Green’s Outburst During Trump’s Speech
The incident occurred during the early moments of President Trump’s speech on Tuesday night when he declared that the November 5 election had delivered a governing mandate “not seen for many decades.” In response, Green stood up, shouted, “You have no mandate,” and shook his cane toward the President.
House Speaker Mike Johnson immediately called for order and instructed Green to take his seat, but the Texas lawmaker refused. Security personnel subsequently escorted Green from the chamber for violating House decorum. The disruption sparked a mix of reactions, with Republicans condemning the act as disrespectful and Democrats viewing it as a principled stand against potential cuts to social programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
The censure resolution cited Green’s actions as a “breach of proper conduct” during a presidential address, a moment traditionally respected by both parties regardless of political differences.
Republican-Led Censure Effort Gains Bipartisan Support
Following the disruption, Republicans moved quickly to introduce a censure resolution, led by Rep. Daniel Newhouse, R-Wash. The measure passed 224-198, with ten Democrats breaking ranks to support the rebuke.
“This resolution is offered in all seriousness, something that I believe we must do in order to get us to the next level of conduct in this hallowed chamber,” Newhouse said during the debate.
House Republicans emphasized the need to maintain order and respect in Congress, pointing to past instances where Democratic leadership condemned similar disruptions. Speaker Johnson criticized Green’s actions, tweeting before the vote that the Texas lawmaker had “disgraced the institution of Congress and the constituents he serves.”
However, some Democrats accused Republicans of hypocrisy, arguing that GOP members had previously interrupted President Joe Biden’s speeches without facing consequences. “Nobody apologized for interrupting Joe Biden time and again,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said, referencing a previous State of the Union where some Republicans had heckled Biden.
Green and Democratic Allies Defend His Actions
Despite the censure, Rep. Al Green remained defiant, calling his protest an act of conscience. Speaking on the House floor before the vote, he shook hands with Rep. Newhouse before delivering a passionate defense of his actions.
“This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience,” Green said. “There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care.” He concluded his remarks with a firm stance: “On some issues that are matters of conscience, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all.”
His Democratic colleagues showed solidarity during the proceedings, with more than 20 joining him in the well of the House as he was censured. The group sang “We Shall Overcome,” an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, as Johnson read the resolution. Their actions led to a brief recess as Republican lawmakers called for order.
Some Democrats, including Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., accused the Republican leadership of enforcing rules selectively. “Rules of decorum are often violated by our Republican colleagues, and the response is not punitive,” Pressley said, echoing frustration among her party members.
Political and Legislative Fallout
Green’s censure underscores the deep partisan divide in the current Congress, with both parties using disciplinary measures as a tool against opponents. While censures are rare, they have increased in recent years, often employed by the majority party to send a political message.
The incident also highlights ongoing debates over Republican-led budget proposals. House Republicans recently passed a budget plan aiming for $880 billion in savings over the next decade, including cuts to Medicaid and other social programs. While Trump publicly stated, “We’re not going to touch it,” Democrats remain skeptical, arguing that such cuts are unavoidable under GOP proposals.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had previously urged his caucus to maintain a “strong, determined, and dignified presence” during Trump’s address. However, some Democrats opted to walk out in protest, while others, like Green, took direct action.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who famously tore up Trump’s speech in 2020, acknowledged the importance of individual protest but emphasized the broader political battle ahead. “Everybody has to make their expression of how they see things. I think we should keep our focus on the president’s speech,” she said.
With the censure now on record, Green remains unapologetic, and the political ramifications of his actions may continue to fuel debate as Congress grapples with key legislative battles in the months ahead.
