House Freedom Caucus wants censure of Rep. Al Green, who was booted from joint address

The hard-line House Freedom Caucus announced it would introduce a censure resolution against Rep. Al Green, making good on a promise to go after any Democratic lawmaker who disrupted President Trump’s Tuesday address. 

Mr. Green, Texas Democrat, was removed from the House chamber after he shouted “you have no mandate” at Mr. Trump just minutes into his lengthy speech. 

The lawmaker was warned by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, to stop. When he didn’t heed the call, Mr. Johnson ordered the House sergeant-at-arms to escort him from the room. 

Mr. Green, who previously announced he planned to file articles of impeachment against Mr. Trump, told reporters after his exit that he was protesting proposed cuts to Medicaid. 

The Washington Times reached out to Mr. Green for additional comment. 

Mr. Trump and House Republican leadership have vowed that Medicaid would not be on the chopping block, but the House GOP’s recently passed budget resolution includes instructions to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees the program, to find at least $880 billion in savings.

Lawmakers on the panel believe the only way to hit that benchmark is to look for changes to the health care program. 

After the address, Mr. Johnson expected a censure resolution to be brought against Mr. Green “to discipline him.” 

“We have to do that inside the House,” he said. “We have to maintain decorum.”

Prior to the speech, the Freedom Caucus’ leadership board announced it would move to censure any hecklers who interrupted Mr. Trump’s joint address. 

“The House Freedom Caucus will be introducing a censure resolution against Rep. Al Green today,” the caucus announced on X on Wednesday.

Any member can trigger a vote on a censure resolution under House rules.