House Republicans are taking swift action to censure Texas Democrat Rep. Al Green following his repeated interruptions during President Donald Trump’s speech. GOP Rep. Daniel Newhouse formally introduced a censure resolution on Wednesday after Green was removed from the House chamber for shouting during the early moments of Trump’s address to Congress.
On the House floor, Newhouse, a Republican from Washington state, emphasized the need for accountability, stating that Green’s disruptions warranted a formal condemnation—an action that is generally rare in the House. “This was beyond the pale,” Newhouse said, highlighting how Green’s interruptions disrupted the entire evening. “We must uphold the expectations of decorum here; otherwise, we risk becoming just a club where everyone yells at each other.”
The House is expected to vote on the censure resolution on Thursday, according to a GOP aide. House Democrats were unable to block the resolution on Wednesday, allowing the process to move forward.
This development marks a significant moment for Newhouse, a centrist Republican who previously faced backlash from his party for voting to impeach Trump in 2021. He has largely remained under the radar since narrowly defeating a GOP challenger in the last election. However, his censure resolution, seemingly supported by House GOP leadership, has drawn ire from some conservative members who were working on their own resolution against Green.
Some Republicans view Newhouse’s action as an effort to strengthen his position among Trump supporters, especially after facing questions about his political future. Despite this, Newhouse denied he was seeking to appease any faction within the party, stating, “This is about the House of Representatives, Congress, and respecting our rules of decorum. It transcends any individual relationship.”
House officials anticipate that the censure measure will be privileged, which would require it to be voted on within two legislative days. Although Republicans expected the vote to occur later Wednesday, the timing remains uncertain.
In response to the censure resolution, Green expressed understanding, stating, “I will suffer the consequences.” He added, “What I did was from my heart. People are suffering. I was addressing Medicaid cuts, and I believe no one has a mandate to cut Medicaid.”