US House of Representatives Passes Resolution Condemning Democratic Party Rep. Greene

The United States House of Representatives passed a resolution on Thursday (March 6) condemning Democratic Congressman Al Green from Texas for loudly protesting during President Trump’s speech in Congress.

Green shouted and waved a black wand at Trump during the speech on Tuesday, refusing to sit down. He had previously called for the impeachment of President Trump multiple times and was eventually escorted out by meeting room staff who maintained decorum and security.

The resolution passed with 224 votes in favor and 198 votes against, with 10 Democratic lawmakers supporting, two Democratic lawmakers voting present, and four not voting. Currently, the Republicans control the House by a narrow margin of 218 to 214, with three vacant seats.

The condemnation is symbolic and does not carry any fines or other penalties. Around twenty Democratic lawmakers sang the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome,” surrounding Green in the chamber, leading House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana to announce an adjournment and delay the formal condemnation resolution.

Green told reporters that he protested against Trump for cutting Medicaid funds without proper authorization, a government healthcare program that helps low-income individuals pay for medical costs.

Republican Congressman Dan Newhouse from Washington introduced the resolution to condemn Green on the grounds of “violating established norms.”

Condemnation procedures are rare, with only four House members being publicly condemned in the past four years for improper social media posts, behavior deemed problematic by the majority of the House, and disrupting voting procedures, typically passed along party lines.

(Adapted from a report by Reuters)