TEMPO.CO, Washington - The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives kicked off a process on Wednesday that could lead lawmakers to censure Democrat Al Green, who was kicked out of the chamber after yelling at President Donald Trump during an address.
Representative Green, a Texas Democrat who has been in Congress for 20 years and has repeatedly called to impeach Trump, is facing a House censure resolution for yelling at the president, waiving his black cane and refusing to sit down during Trump's Tuesday night speech.
Green's message was drowned out by boos from Republicans, but he told reporters on Tuesday that he was saying Trump had no electoral mandate to slash funding for Medicaid, the government healthcare program that helps cover costs for people with limited income.
Green was eventually escorted out by chamber staff who maintain the decorum and security of the floor.
Representative Dan Newhouse, a moderate Republican from Washington, introduced the resolution to censure Green for a "breach of proper conduct."
A vote by the full House chamber on the censure resolution is expected in coming days, and Green will be required to be on the floor at that time. Censure is a symbolic reprimand that carries no fines or other penalties.
The censure process was once a rarity, but four House lawmakers have been publicly reprimanded by their colleagues in the last four years for inappropriate social media posts, actions that a majority of the House found problematic, and disrupting a vote.
In 2009, Republican Representative Joe Wilson from South Carolina faced a resolution of disapproval - a lesser form of punishment - after he shouted "You lie!" at Democratic President Barack Obama during an address to a joint session of Congress.
Wilson's outburst at the time drew gasps from other lawmakers, but on Tuesday that type of behavior was happening almost every minute inside the chamber. Republicans cheered Trump's speech and taunted Democrats, while other House Democratic lawmakers held signs to fact-check the president and repeatedly yelled from their seats in opposition.
Green's outburst - and moves by some of his colleagues who walked out during the speech - marked a sharp contrast with Democratic leaders who had urged decorum and tapped a moderate senator from Michigan to deliver their rebuttal speech.
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon unfurled a blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag as Trump spoke about the country's war with Russia.
REUTERS
Editor's Choice: Canada PM Trudeau Dismisses Trump's Tariffs as 'Very Dumb'
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Takeaways from Trump's Address to Congress
45 menit lalu
For the first time since his inauguration, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Congress in his distinctive style.
Canada PM Trudeau Dismisses Trump's Tariffs as 'Very Dumb'
15 jam lalu
Justin Trudeau considers the import tariffs imposed by Trump on Canada to be very dumb and Canada will retaliate.
Donald Trump Says Ukraine Willing to Negotiate, Russia 'Ready for Peace'
16 jam lalu
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Trump to The People of Greenland: 'We Will Make You Rich'
17 jam lalu
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland in his address to Congress on Tuesday.
Prabowo's 3 Million Houses Program Suggested for Resettling Residents from Flood-Prone Areas
17 jam lalu
The 3 million houses program could be a long-term solution to reduce the recurring impact of floods in several regions in Indonesia.
Trump's Contrasting Gestures in Meetings with Zelensky and Netanyahu
19 jam lalu
The meeting between Donald Trump and Zelenskiy ended badly, in contrast to his previous meeting with Netanyahu. Why?
Arab States Adopt Egypt's Alternative to Trump's Gaza Reconstruction Plan
23 jam lalu
Egypt is designing a different future for Gaza from Donald Trump's proposal.
Trump Triggers Trade War, Price Hikes with Tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico
23 jam lalu
U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff policies spark trade wars that could slam economic growth and lift prices for Americans.
Exclusive: Egypt's Alternative to Trump's 'Gaza Riviera' Aims to Sideline Hamas
1 hari lalu
Egypt draws a plan to counter U.S. President Donald Trump's ambition for a Middle East Riviera, which would replace Hamas.
China Hopes to Resume 'Constructive Role' in Ukraine Crisis
1 hari lalu
China expressed its desire for the Russia-Ukraine war to end peacefully after the heated debate between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky last week.
