March 10, 2025 Story by: Editor
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is standing in solidarity with Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) after fellow Democrats joined Republicans in voting to censure him for his outspoken protest during President Trump’s joint address last week.
CBC Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) denounced the move, stating Friday that the caucus “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,” Clarke said 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 interrupting Trump’s speech by declaring that the president 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 being escorted from 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.”
On Thursday, the House voted to censure Green, with 10 Democrats siding with Republicans in support of the measure. Despite repeated calls for order from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the chamber erupted into chaos, with Democrats singing and both parties engaging in a heated exchange. Johnson eventually called a recess.
In response to the protest, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) announced plans to introduce a resolution that would strip Green and other Democrats who participated in the singing from their committee assignments. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) dismissed the effort, calling Ogles a “complete and total fraud” and asserting that the resolution is “going nowhere.”
Following Green’s censure, Clarke took to social media to express support for him, stating that he should “wear it like a badge of honor” while reaffirming the CBC’s stance.
“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 Friday.
The censure vote led to a dramatic moment on the House floor as Speaker Johnson began reading the resolution. In response, Green, CBC members, and others joined together in singing “We Shall Overcome.”
Source: The Hill
![Cori Bush speaks outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., following the removal of a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University by police, during which demonstrators were arrested [File: Jose Luis Magana/AP].](https://blkpoliticsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rgerg-120x86.png)
