On Tuesday (March 4), during President Trump’s speech at the Joint Session of Congress, Democratic federal Congressman Al Green from Texas loudly interrupted and mocked Trump, and was subsequently ejected from the chamber by House officials.
When Trump mentioned in his speech that he had “received a mandate not seen for decades,” Green immediately retorted, claiming that Trump did not have such a “mandate.”
Trump tried to ignore Green’s interruption and continued his speech, but Green refused to sit down.
At that moment, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., repeatedly warned the members to maintain order in the chamber and requested Green to stop speaking.
“Please, members of Congress, maintain order in the House of Representatives and cease all disruptive behavior, this is your warning,” Johnson said.
“Mr. Green, please sit down,” he said to Green, “Please, sit down, sir.”
Nevertheless, Green disregarded the warning and continued to shout at Trump, “You have no right to cut Medicaid!”
Subsequently, Johnson instructed the House Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Green to restore order.
Green has strongly criticized Trump on multiple occasions and has introduced impeachment resolutions against Trump, including one last month.
After being escorted out of the chamber, Green told reporters that those who rely on federal Medicaid as their sole source of health insurance are concerned that the Republican budget proposal will lead to significant cuts in Medicaid.
Green emphasized that he chose to speak out during Trump’s speech because it was the only way to make Trump “hear opposing voices.” He said he was willing to accept any punishment for this.
Trump has repeatedly promised publicly not to cut federal health insurance or Social Security.
However, the House Republican budget blueprint calls for the Energy and Commerce Committee to save $880 billion over the next decade. Some experts believe that to achieve these cost reductions will inevitably impact federal health insurance.
Some Republicans argue that this can be achieved by reforming expenditures, reducing waste, fraud, and abuse without affecting beneficiaries.