The House of Representatives voted[1] on Thursday morning to formally censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) after his disruptive outburst during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress earlier this week.
The decision came less than 48 hours after Green had to be removed from the chamber for interrupting the president.
Despite significant Democratic opposition, the censure resolution passed with bipartisan support, as 10 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the measure.
The final vote tally was 224-198-2, with 10 Democrats siding with Republicans, while two members, including Green himself, voted “present.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) emphasized the significance of the vote, stating, “I can’t believe that 198 Democrats voted against the censure motion. It was critically important… because we have to maintain the dignity of this place.”
The 10 Democratic representatives who voted in favor of the censure were Ami Bera (CA), Ed Case (HI), Jim Costa (CA), Laura Gillen (NY), Jim Himes (CT), Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Marcy Kaptur (OH), Jared Moskowitz (FL), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), and Tom Suozzi (NY). Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) was the other member who voted present.
The Dems who voted to censure or voted present on the Rep. Green censure resolution pic.twitter.com/vFFU4EjuWu[2]
Johnson explained the necessity of the censure, saying, “This is a really sad day for our institution. What Representative Al Green did in the midst of the president’s speech, as our honored guest to the chamber, was disruptive. He did it intentionally, as everyone saw. I gave him plenty of warnings, and he refused it. It was a deliberative action, it needed to be met with swift punishment, that’s the tradition of this place to maintain decorum, and that’s what we just did.”
During President Trump’s speech on Tuesday night, Green stood up and began waving his cane in the air while shouting about Medicare.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Rep. Al Green (D-TX) shouts out as U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was expected to address Congress on his early achievements of his presidency and his upcoming legislative agenda. Mandatory Credit: Win McNamee-Pool via Imagn Images
His actions were unrelated to the president’s remarks at the time, which focused on his electoral victory in November.
Despite multiple warnings from Johnson to sit down and conduct himself appropriately, Green continued his disruption, ultimately leading to his removal from the chamber.
BREAKING: The House just voted 211-209 to proceed with censuring Al Green.
Al Green disrespected the President of the United States and disrupted his address to a joint session of Congress.
Johnson stressed the unprecedented nature of Green’s actions, stating, “To our understanding and to our review of history, that was the first time that any member of Congress has ever had to be removed in the middle of a president’s address. And it’s shameful.”
198 Democrats just voted against censuring Rep. Al Green. Instead of supporting decorum, they defended his shameful and egregious behavior.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) March 6, 2025[8]
Following the censure vote, Green and several of his Democratic colleagues gathered at the well of the House chamber and began singing “We Shall Overcome.”
Johnson repeatedly called for order before ultimately calling a recess due to the continued disruptions.
Video footage of the chaotic scene captured shouting from multiple members.
One person could be heard yelling, “Kick ‘em out,” while another Democratic member shouted, “You’re next!”
Cringe. The Democrats just started singing “We Shall Overcome” in the middle of the vote to censure Al Green for interrupting President Trump’s speech.
The censure vote may not be the end of the matter. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) has introduced a resolution to strip committee assignments from Democratic members who stood at the well and sang with Green during the disruption.
Additionally, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC), indicated that the caucus has introduced a resolution seeking to remove Green from his committee assignments.
The HFC posted on social media, tagging Speaker Johnson and Harris, and stated that they expect Johnson “to bring [the resolution] to the House floor for a vote next week.”
“The House Freedom Caucus is filing a resolution to strip disruptive and disrespectful Democrat Rep. Al Green from his committee assignments and we expect @SpeakerJohnson[14] to bring it to the House floor for a vote next week.
Green was…
— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) March 6, 2025[15]
As Democrats continue to push theatrical protests, Republicans are moving forward with disciplinary measures to uphold decorum in Congress.
Green’s removal during President Trump’s speech marked a historic moment, and with additional resolutions pending, the consequences for his actions may not be over yet.
