Mar. 6—U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse led the effort to punish one of his Democratic colleagues for breaking decorum during President Donald Trump’s Tuesday night address to a joint session of Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the chamber’s sergeant at arms to remove Green from the House after he interrupted the Republican president several times and declined to take his seat.
The next morning, Newhouse, R-Wash., filed the House Resolution to censure Green over his actions and read the text on the House floor. The censure move is a formal expression of disapproval and doesn’t bear any tangible repercussions.
Green defended his disruption.
“The president indicated that he had a mandate,” Green said Wednesday. “I said to the president you do not have the mandate to cut Medicaid. I have constituents who need Medicaid. They will suffer and some will die if they don’t get Medicaid.”
On Thursday, the House voted 224-198, with 10 Democrats joining with Republicans, to censure Green. Two members, including Green, voted present, according to a UPI report.
UPI reported that Newhouse said it was a “difficult step” and not personal but said Green’s “willful disruption intended to stop a proceeding” cannot be ignored.
“Decorum and order are the institutional grounds for the way we do business in the United States Congress, and the sheer disregard for that standard during President Trump’s address by the gentleman from Texas is unacceptable,” Newhouse said in a statement. “A member’s refusal to adhere to the Speaker’s direction to cease such behavior, regardless of their party, has and will continue to be reprimanded in the people’s House.”
The right-wing Freedom Caucus initiated the censure resolution against Green, said UPI.
Newhouse is one of the last House Republicans still in office who voted to impeach Trump over his actions in fomenting the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. The Central Washington congressman has defended his pro-impeachment decision, but also has tried in the years since to make amends with the MAGA president, who’s instead backed challengers to oust him.
Speaking to reporter after being expelled from the chamber, Green said he stood by his actions and would “accept the punishment.”
“It’s worth it to let people know that there’s some of us who are going to stand up against this president’s desire to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security,” Green said.
Green was referring to a budget plan passed last week by the Republican-controlled House, which could lead to deep cuts to social welfare and health care programs.
Newhouse — who represents a congressional district where 37% of residents are enrolled in Medicaid, and 1-in-6 households use SNAP — voted in favor of the budget resolution. But Republicans have said they don’t plan to look at cuts to programs such as Medicaid.
Trump, who’s entering the second month of his second term, gave a raucous and boastful 100-minute address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, declaring that “America is back.” He highlighted his tariffs on Mexico and Canada, increased deportation efforts, and austerity measures being undertaken by the controversial Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
