The House will vote this week on a resolution from Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) over his outburst at President Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
Newhouse introduced the resolution and moved to force a vote on it on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Green’s disruptive protest. Because the resolution is privileged, leadership has two legislative days to move on the formal reprimand, and the House is scheduled to leave town after Thursday.
The resolution reads: “Whereas, the conduct of the Representative from Texas disrupted the proceedings of the joint address and was a breach of proper conduct; and whereas, after numerous disruptions the representative from Texas had to be removed from the chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms; Now, therefore, be it resolved that Representative Al Green be censured.”
The Washington congressman’s effort has the backing of House GOP leadership, apparently winning out over two alternative measures to censure Green that were being crafted by Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) and the House Freedom Caucus and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas).
“I believe this is the first one outta the gate,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told a NOTUS reporter of Newhouse’s resolution.
Newhouse acknowledged that there were many people interested in leading such a resolution, but told reporters that he was the first to approach the Speaker about it.