The House of Representatives voted Thursday to censure Texas Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, for shouting and refusing to sit down during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress Tuesday.

Republicans voted unanimously to punish the congressman. Ten Democrats backed the censure, including Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.

The Democratic defections divided social media, with some commenters praising the vote, calling for a need of decorum, and others saying they should be voted out of office.

Costa in a statement said he agreed with Green’s claims that Trump did not have a mandate to cut Medicare, Social Security, or SNAP benefits — Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. He also said he doesn’t think the president has a mandate to undermine federal services.

“However, I respectfully disagree with disruptions during official proceedings of the United States Congress,” Costa said. “We need to focus on the President’s distortions of the facts. As Democrats, our focus should remain on the critical issues that matter to the people.”

Republicans Threaten Rep. Gray for His Support of Green

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, Louisiana, instructed Green to sit down only a few minutes into Trump’s first official address to Congress of his second term.

After Trump talked about his electoral victory in November 2024 — winning both the popular vote and the electoral college — Green continued to shout that the president had “no mandate,” speaking specifically about possible cuts to Medicaid.

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Johnson told the sergeant at arms to remove Green, who was escorted out. After the encounter, Green said he would “do it again,” according to the Associated Press.

Perhaps as a signal of strategy during the 2026 midterms, the National Republican Congressional Committee criticized Rep. Adam Gray, D-Merced, for voting against the censure. An NRCC spokesperson labeled Gray’s support for Green’s “disgraceful and juvenile” as behavior that didn’t line up with the will of his constituents.

“It will certainly come back to bite him next year,” said the NRCC’s Ben Petersen.

The back-and-forth race between Gray and former Congressman John Duarte made that race the last to be called after the November 2024 General Election.

In a statement to GV Wire, Gray said Republicans did the same to Biden.

“I seem to remember several GOP members of Congress did the same during President Biden’s addresses, and no censures,” Gray said. “I’m for calling balls and strikes. If we’re going to start handing out censures, let’s be honest about it. I voted to defend my colleagues’ right to express themselves, whether I agree with the expression or not.”

Censure Congress’ Most Severe Punishment Below Expulsion

Congressman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, said the censure was necessary to reaffirm decorum and respect in Congress.

“His conduct during President Trump’s joint address failed to uphold the values of our institution,” Fong said in a statement to GV Wire. “All members of Congress must demonstrate respect for the office of the presidency and the dignity of our government. Today’s action serves as a reminder that maintaining professionalism is essential to preserving the integrity of our democratic process.”

Green has represented parts of Houston since 2005 and is an assistant whip for House Democrats. The action makes Green the 28th lawmaker to be censured, according to CBS News.

Censure has little practical effect, but the reproach is one step below expulsion, which requires two-thirds of the House to approve.

During President Joe Biden’s final State of the Union, Republicans interrupted his speech, yelling “say her name” in reference to nursing student Laken Riley’s death.

“Nobody apologized for interrupting Joe Biden time and again,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Massachusetts. “You talk about lack of decorum. Go back and look at the tapes, and there was silence from the other side.”