Dems who derailed Al Green censure could be stripped of House committee roles

In the aftermath of Representative Al Green’s censure for disrupting President Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress, tensions have escalated within the House of Representatives. The censure vote, which concluded with a tally of 224-198, saw ten Democrats aligning with Republicans to formally reprimand the Texas Democrat for his protest during the presidential speech.

During the censure proceedings, a group of Democratic lawmakers gathered around Green, singing “We Shall Overcome” in a display of solidarity. This act led to a temporary disruption of House floor activities, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson to call for a recess after multiple attempts to restore order.

In response to this disruption, Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, has introduced a resolution aimed at penalizing the Democrats involved in derailing the censure process. Ogles’ proposal seeks to strip these members of their committee assignments for the remainder of the 119th Congress. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining decorum, stating, “We can disagree on issues and politics, but we’re gonna respect one another, and I’m tired of this crap.”

The resolution directs the House Sergeant-at-Arms to identify members who defied the Speaker’s instructions during the censure. Once identified, these members would face removal from their respective committee roles. Ogles plans to deem the resolution “privileged,” which would require House leaders to address it within two legislative days, potentially bringing it to a vote as early as next week.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the appropriate methods of protest and decorum within the legislative chamber. While some Democrats supported Green’s actions as a form of resistance against policies they oppose, others, including ten who voted for the censure, believe that maintaining order during official proceedings is paramount.

As the House navigates these internal conflicts, the potential repercussions for those who disrupted the censure process remain a focal point. The outcome of Ogles’ resolution could set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future, underscoring the delicate balance between protest and parliamentary procedure.