UJ
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House Republicans are swiftly taking action against the Texas Democrat who was ejected from the House chamber for persistently interrupting President Donald Trump’s address.
GOP Rep. Daniel Newhouse formally put forward a censure resolution on Wednesday aimed at Rep. Al Green, who was escorted out by the House sergeant-at-arms after he stood up and shouted during the initial moments of Trump’s address to Congress. On the House floor, Newhouse, a Republican from Washington state, expressed his desire to see Green punished—a censure which is a formal reprimand historically considered rare in the House—due to Green’s “repeated disruptions” of the president’s speech.
“This was completely unacceptable. It continued for a lengthy duration, disrupting the entire event, so I believed it was necessary to address it,” Newhouse stated regarding Green’s outburst. “We need to maintain the standards of decorum in this place; otherwise, we may as well just be a group of people who shout at one another.”
For Newhouse, this marks a significant moment, especially since he had previously faced backlash from some party members for voting to impeach Trump in 2021 and has largely kept a low profile since narrowly winning re-election against a fellow Republican last cycle.
However, Newhouse’s actions—reportedly supported by House GOP leaders—have frustrated some conservative members, who were in discussions with legal advisors about their own censure proposal, as revealed by multiple sources involved in the competing resolution discussions. They alleged that Newhouse was merely trying to dodge a challenge from more right-leaning members. Additionally, various Republican campaign experts interpret Newhouse’s initiative as a signal that he intends to continue his political career after winning a close primary last cycle against a GOP challenger.
Newhouse, however, dismissed claims that he was attempting to enhance his reputation among Trump supporters.
“This is about the House of Representatives, Congress, and upholding the rules of decorum that we observe. This isn’t just related to any specific president or member. It’s a larger matter,” Newhouse remarked to reporters.
House officials anticipate that the resolution will be granted privileged status, which would endow it with specific procedural advantages necessitating a vote on the floor within two legislative days. Republicans expect this vote to occur later on Wednesday, although no firm decision has been made yet, according to sources acquainted with the planning.
Green expressed that he harbors no anger towards the speaker, the House officer, or the members driving the resolution, telling reporters: “I accept the consequences.”
“However, allow me to clarify: My actions were genuine. People are suffering. I was addressing Medicaid concerns. I didn’t merely state there was no mandate; I emphasized that there’s no mandate to reduce Medicaid,” he articulated.
House Minority Leader Jeffries stated to UJ earlier on Wednesday that the “vast majority” of Democrats approached the speech seriously. When questioned regarding the Republicans’ intent to censure Green and the appropriateness of such action, Jeffries only responded: “I haven’t had that conversation with anyone.”
Democrats do not plan to actively influence votes against the censure resolution, allowing lawmakers to vote according to their beliefs, as reported by someone familiar with the situation.
Some centrist Democrats find themselves in a precarious position when it comes to defending a fellow member’s outbursts during the president’s speech. Green wasn’t the sole individual to stage a protest: several other progressive Democrats also walked out, shouted back at the president from their seats, and displayed signs, despite guidance from party leadership to maintain restraint in their responses to keep the focus on Trump and his agenda.
The House Freedom Caucus revealed earlier in the day on X that they were working on a resolution, while another member, Rep. Troy Nehls, was in the process of proposing a competing resolution. (Nehls has had his own issues with the Freedom Caucus, having left the group during a disagreement last year.)
The ultraconservative faction had publicly admonished Democrats that they would file censure resolutions against any members who caused disruptions during the speech.
“Our colleagues are reminded that the heckler’s veto will not be accepted,” they declared.
Newhouse acknowledged that a number of Republicans showed interest in signing onto the resolution. Regarding his role, he explained: “I was the first to bring this matter to the speaker. So, here I stand.”
UJ’s Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.
