House GOP Divided Over Competing Resolutions to Censure Rep. Al Green Following Trump Address Interruption
A schism is emerging within the House Republican caucus as multiple resolutions aimed at censuring Representative Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, are vying for consideration. The division stems from differing approaches and underlying political calculations, further complicating the already narrow majority the GOP holds in the House. The controversy ignited after Green was ejected from President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening for repeatedly disrupting the speech shortly after it began.
While a resolution to punish Green for his actions is widely expected to pass, the path forward is proving contentious. Several factions within the Republican party are pushing their own versions of the censure, leading to internal friction and uncertainty about which resolution will ultimately be adopted.
Representative Dan Newhouse, a moderate Republican from Washington state, has taken the initiative by announcing his intention to force a vote on his own bill via a privileged resolution. This procedural maneuver compels House leadership to consider the bill within two legislative days. The text of Newhouse’s resolution, as provided to Fox News Digital, accuses Green of having "repeatedly violated the rules of decorum in the House of Representatives during President Donald J. Trump’s joint address to Congress."
The backdrop to this intra-party struggle is Newhouse’s past vote to impeach President Trump following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Newhouse is one of only two House Republicans who voted for impeachment and remain in Congress, a fact that has become a central point of contention for those supporting competing censure resolutions. Critics within the GOP are questioning the optics of having a lawmaker who previously sought to remove Trump from office lead the charge in censuring someone for disrupting his speech.
According to sources, Newhouse began working on his resolution immediately after Green’s outburst on Tuesday night. However, the following morning, the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative faction within the Republican party, announced its intention to file its own legislation to censure Green. This resolution is being spearheaded by Representative Eli Crane of Arizona.
Adding another layer of complexity, Representative Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, has been actively collecting signatures for his own censure resolution against Green since Wednesday morning. Nehls’s bill reportedly boasts the support of nearly 30 Republican co-sponsors, including members of the House Freedom Caucus. This demonstrates a significant level of backing for a more conservative approach to punishing Green.
Despite the multiple competing resolutions, sources familiar with the discussions suggest that Newhouse’s resolution is most likely to be taken up by House GOP leadership. This potential move has drawn sharp criticism from some within the party.
One senior House GOP aide told Fox News Digital, "It’s just tone deaf to even think that leadership would run with a censure from one of the two remaining GOP members who voted to impeach President Trump." The aide further speculated that prioritizing Newhouse’s resolution would be "an obvious play to help shield him from another close primary challenge." This suggests that the selection of the resolution may be driven by internal political considerations rather than solely a desire to hold Green accountable.
However, a second senior House GOP aide countered this narrative, claiming that House GOP leadership was aware of Newhouse’s plans on Tuesday night. According to this aide, Newhouse reached out to Speaker Mike Johnson immediately after Trump’s address, and both agreed on the need to censure Green. The aide argued that there is "no better individual" to lead the resolution, citing the "level of respect afforded to Newhouse by fellow House Republicans." They also pointed out that Newhouse has successfully fended off tough primary challenges from his right, suggesting that his political strength should not be underestimated. The aide also highlighted that Newhouse publicly praised Trump after the address on Tuesday night, indicating a potential effort to bridge the divide within the party.
Despite the apparent support for Newhouse’s resolution from House leadership, Representative Nehls remains determined to push forward with his own bill. His office has indicated that he intends to introduce his resolution on Wednesday afternoon, demonstrating his commitment to a potentially more forceful censure of Green.
Meanwhile, Green himself appears unfazed by the prospect of punishment. After being read the text of Newhouse’s resolution, he told the Huffington Post that he was "guilty." He further elaborated on his actions when speaking with the White House press pool after being ejected from the House chamber. "I’m willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me," Green stated. "I didn’t say to anyone, don’t punish me. I’ve said I’ll accept the punishment."
Green framed his actions as a form of protest against President Trump’s policies. "But it’s worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up against this president’s desire to cut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security," he declared. This suggests that Green views the potential censure as a badge of honor, representing his commitment to opposing Trump’s agenda.
Speaker Johnson’s office, when reached for comment, referred Fox News Digital to the Speaker’s earlier comments on Newhouse’s resolution. "I believe it is the first one out of the gate," Johnson stated. He also described Green’s protest as "unprecedented" and "planned, prolonged protest," suggesting that it warrants a strong response from the House.
The competing resolutions and the internal divisions within the House GOP highlight the complex political dynamics at play. The outcome of this situation will likely depend on a number of factors, including the level of support each resolution receives, the priorities of House leadership, and the willingness of different factions to compromise. The debate also underscores the lingering tensions within the Republican party stemming from the Trump presidency and the January 6th Capitol riot. Ultimately, the resolution chosen and the process by which it is adopted will reveal the current balance of power within the House GOP and set the tone for future legislative battles. The incident also raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable protest within the halls of Congress and the appropriate response to disruptions of official proceedings.
