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Democrats Launch Bizarre Musical Protest on House Floor as Rep. Al Green Is Officially Censured

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The House of Representatives voted Thursday to censure Democratic Rep. Al Green for disrupting President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress earlier this week.

The vote was 224 to 198, with 10 Democratic lawmakers joining with Republicans to support the censure resolution. Two Democrats voted present.

As House Speaker Mike Johnson was announcing passage of the resolution, a group of Democratic lawmakers stood around Green in the well of the House in front of the rostrum and sang, “We Shall Overcome” — a tune popular during the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s.

Johnson repeatedly tried to gavel the House to order, but the Democratic lawmakers continued to sing and would not disperse.

Eventually, the speaker declared the House in recess.

Politico reported, after a member has been censured, he or she is supposed to stand in the well as the censure resolution is read, but the protest prevented that from happening.

Shortly into Trump’s remarks on Tuesday night, Green stood up and called out, “You don’t have a mandate!” The congressman then refused to sit down as he continued to yell from the House floor.

Should the Democrats who engaged in this protest be censured?

Johnson reminded Green of the rules of decorum required by members during the address, but when he refused to comply and take his seat, the speaker instructed the House sergeant at arms to remove him.

After being removed from the House floor, Green told reporters, “I am willing to suffer whatever punishment that is available to me. I didn’t say to anyone, ‘Don’t punish me.’ I’ve said I’ll accept the punishment, 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.”

Trump has repeatedly pledged not to cut the entitlement programs, but he will seek to root out fraud.

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On Wednesday, GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington introduced a resolution to censure Green.

“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 resolution read.

A poll conducted by CNN Tuesday night found that 80 percent of respondents thought Green’s conduct during the president’s address was inappropriate.

Green announced last month that he will be filing articles of impeachment for the “dastardly deeds proposed,” citing, in part, Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip.

The congressman filed three separate articles of impeachment against Trump during his first term.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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