House Censures Rep. Al Green for Interrupting Trump’s Joint Session Speech

Bipartisan Vote Follows Green’s Defiance of House Speaker During Trump Address

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 224-198 on Thursday to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) for repeatedly disrupting President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), condemned Green’s actions as a violation of decorum, citing his refusal to comply with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) orders to stop and take his seat. Green was ultimately escorted out of the chamber by the Sergeant at Arms. Speaking to reporters afterward, Green justified his outbursts—shouting that Trump lacked a mandate to cut Medicaid.

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Bipartisan Vote Follows Green’s Defiance of House Speaker During Trump Address What Does Censure Mean?

The censure, supported by all present Republicans and 10 Democrats, including Reps. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.), and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), reflects a rare bipartisan reprimand.

What Does Censure Mean?

A censure is a formal public reprimand of a member for behavior deemed unacceptable or a violation of House rules. It’s a disciplinary action that expresses disapproval but doesn’t carry legal penalties or remove the member from office. Essentially, it’s a symbolic slap on the wrist—think of it as the House saying, “We don’t like what you did, and we’re officially scolding you for it.” A censure leaves a mark on his record. Historically, it’s rare—only about two dozen House members have been censured since 1789.