Before facing a censure vote for disrupting Republican President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, Texas Democratic Representative Al Green vehemently expressed that he would not back down from his fight against the injustice facing constituents relying on Medicaid.
On Tuesday, Green stood up during Trump's mostly partisan congressional address and heckled Trump after the President claimed he had won a governing mandate from voters, to which Green yelled, “You have no mandate!"
In response to the outburst in the House chamber, House Speaker Mike Johnson warned:
“Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions."
Johnson continued:
"Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the sergeant at arms to restore order to the joint session."
When Green refused to take his seat as instructed, Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to "remove this gentleman from the chamber."
As Green was escorted out, Republicans chanted, “Nah nah nah nah, goodbye."
Before the House voted on Thursday to issue a formal statement condemning Green, the Houston lawmaker didn't express any regret for his protest.
In a defiant post on X on Wednesday, Green wrote:
"Last night I stood up for those who need Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security."
"Democrats will never abandon the fight to make sure every American has a safe, healthy, and financially secure life. #ISaidWhatISaid"
Many praised Green for being a fierce defender.
According to the US Senate website, a "censure is a formal statement of disapproval in the form of a resolution that is adopted by majority vote."
Green's censure resolution was approved in a mostly party-line vote of 224-198, with several Democrats joining Republicans to censure Green.
After his ejection from the House chamber on Tuesday, Green told reporters the following day that he’d “suffer the consequences” of his protest and would do it all again.
The lawmaker explained that his actions on Tuesday were in response to Trump claiming he had won a mandate from voters. Green stressed that Trump had no mandate to cut Medicaid.
“This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience. There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care," stated Green.
Early Thursday morning, Johnson said of Green's disruptive conduct:
“He deliberately violated House rules, and an expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy."
"Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort," Johnson added.