The Congressional Black Caucus is standing behind Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) after fellow Democrats voted alongside Republicans to censure the CBC member over his vocal protest during President Trump’s joint address this week.
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the caucus, said on Friday the CBC “will not stand for Republicans’ hellbent efforts to decimate the social safety net and cut billions of dollars for programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, while giving tax cuts to billionaires like Elon Musk.”
“Congressman Al Green’s decision to protest President Trump’s words during the Joint Address on Tuesday was one of conscience, and he maintains the full support of our Caucus,” she added in a statement. “Americans around the country are showing up to town halls to express their outrage over Republicans’ complete disregard for the needs of the American people and Congressman Green gave voice to their concerns.”
Green was removed from the House chamber on Tuesday after shouting that Trump had “no mandate” to cut Medicaid.
“This is about the people who are being punished by virtue of losing their health care,” Green told reporters after he was escorted out of the chamber. “This is the richest country in the world, and we have people who don’t have good health care. We’ve got to do better.”
The House voted on Thursday to censure Green for his outburst. Ten Democrats voted alongside Republicans to censure the Texas congressman.
The move to censure Green generated an explosive moment on the floor. As Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) began reading the censure resolution, Green, members of the CBC and others began singing “We Shall Overcome.”
Though Johnson called for order twice, the Democrats continued singing. Johnson eventually gaveled into recess. Then, Democrats and Republicans started sparring, shouting across the floor at each other.
Later, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) said he was drafting a resolution to strip Green and the other Democrats who sang in the chamber from their committee assignments. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) responded in his own statement that Ogles is a “complete and total fraud” and the resolution is “going nowhere.”
Following Green’s censure, Clarke tweeted for him to “wear it like a badge of honor” and said the CBC stood with him.
“The CBC and House Democrats will continue to stand up to defend Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security on behalf of the communities that we serve,” Clarke said on Friday.
