House Republicans Seek to Censure Democrat Al Green Over President Outburst 

United States: The U.S. House of Representatives under Republican control started their proceedings on Wednesday to potentially reprimand Democrat Al Green for yelling at President Donald Trump when the president addressed the chamber. 

House Proceedings Begin Against Rep. Al Green 

Texas Democrat Representative Green has served in Congress for 20 years and continues to demand Trump’s impeachment while earning a House censure resolution because he loudly raised his black cane when protesting against Trump’s Tuesday night address, as reported by Reuters. 

The Republicans kept chanting boos while Green delivered his statement about Trump lacking authority to cut Medicaid funding. Nevertheless Green maintained that Trump did not have enough electoral power to reduce Medicaid expenditures. 

Staff members of the chamber escorted Green away after he disrupted the decorum and security protocols of the floor. 

Censure Resolution Introduced 

Washington Republican Representative Dan Newhouse initiated the resolution that hoped to censure Green for improper congressional behavior. 

Members of the House will decide on the censure resolution during upcoming sessions, while Green remains obligated to attend on the House floor. Belonging to a symbolic reprimand, the censure serves merely as an official reproof, which does not include any fines or ancillary consequences. 

During the past four years, four House members underwent public censure through their Congressional colleagues regarding social media posts and disruptive vote actions, which House members deemed sufficiently problematic. 

Historical Context: Congressional Outbursts and Censures 

Republican Representative Joe Wilson from South Carolina received formal House disapproval during 2009 for his outburst of “You lie!” at Democratic President Barack Obama during an address to a joint session of Congress. 

When Wilson yelled, it surprised fellow lawmakers, yet Tuesday witnessed similar unparliamentary disruptions throughout the entire session. During Trump’s speech Republicans cheered and teased Democrats while House Democrats presented signs for fact-checking and yelled repeatedly from their seats to demonstrate their opposition. 

Other Protest Actions During Trump’s Speech 

During his outburst Senator Green demonstrated behavioral contrast to Democratic leaders who requested appropriate chamber conduct and selected Michigan’s Senator as their response speaker, as reported by Reuters. 

During Trump’s speech Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon displayed a blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag while Trump addressed the Russian conflict in Ukraine.