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FIRST ON FOX: The House Freedom Caucus has declared its intent to potentially force a vote on a measure that would strip Representative Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, of his committee assignments. This move comes if Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, fails to impose what conservatives deem a sufficient punishment for Green’s recent behavior.
According to House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, a Republican from Maryland, “He will see what he deems appropriate, and then if that’s adequate, that’s fine. If not, then we likely will file our privileged resolution to strip him of his committees.” This indicates a serious commitment from the Freedom Caucus to hold Green accountable.
Members of the Freedom Caucus have been in regular communication with Johnson’s office about the situation. They expressed concern following an incident last week, during President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress, where Green’s actions led to a public outcry for accountability.
The incident that sparked this controversy involved Green’s disruption of Trump’s address, which resulted in his ejection from the House chamber merely minutes after the President began speaking. This disruption resonated with several members of the Freedom Caucus.
Representative Ralph Norman, a Republican from South Carolina, remarked, “We’re gonna ask what Mike Johnson wants to do moving forward. We talked about a lot of things, but different people had different thoughts. But I guess what weighed on our minds is, he said he’s going to do it again.” His comments underscore a sense of urgency regarding potential consequences.
Similarly, Representative Andrew Clyde, a Republican from Georgia, indicated, “There’s all sorts of options, and I don’t think any of them have been decided upon yet.” This suggests that discussions within the Freedom Caucus are still evolving.
In a previous session, Green faced censure, receiving a 224 to 198 vote after he vocally protested during Trump’s speech, shouting, “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” He also waved his cane in defiance as the President highlighted Republican achievements. Subsequently, Speaker Johnson responded by having him removed from the chamber after issuing a warning.
Despite the censure, Green maintained a defiant stance, posting on social media later that day, stating, “Today, the House GOP censured me for speaking out for the American people against [Trump’s] plan to cut Medicaid. I accept the consequences of my actions, but I refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice.” This suggests he does not back down easily.
Members of the Freedom Caucus have proposed a range of potential actions against Green. Some members have floated ideas such as imposing fines or pursuing the resolution to strip him of his committee assignments.
Representative Eric Burlison, a Republican from Missouri, indicated that although he didn’t want to escalate the matter further, he still believed a fitting punishment would be to remove any seniority privileges from Green. Burlison articulated this by saying, “No seniority on offices, no seniority on parking spots, on committees – all of that.” Such measures could significantly impact Green’s influence within Congress.
As tensions escalated, Green’s Democratic colleagues momentarily disrupted House proceedings after the censure vote. They gathered around Green, chanting, “We shall overcome.” This show of solidarity indicated a fierce loyalty among Democratic members, refusing to let Green’s censure go uncontested.
Speaker Johnson found himself struggling to restore order amidst this turmoil, repeatedly attempting to call Democrats to order without success. This reflects the charged atmosphere within the House as factions rally either for or against Green.
In response to the events surrounding Green, Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, introduced a resolution aimed at stripping all Democrats who were involved from their committees. However, members like Harris and Clyde have indicated that current discussions with House leadership are primarily aimed at addressing Green’s actions.
Harris pointed out, “No one [else] waved a cane at the president and didn’t accept…having a censure resolution read without interruption.” Clyde echoed his sentiment, reinforcing the idea that Green’s actions warranted singular focus.
Recently, Speaker Johnson confirmed in an interview that he has been in discussions with the Freedom Caucus regarding appropriate measures against Green. He acknowledged the concerns voiced by his colleagues and stated, “I talked to Freedom Caucus members and other Republicans who are deeply concerned about this. They say we have to restore control one way or the other and there need to be real consequences, and it’s something that we’ll be looking at early next week.” His approach shows a balance between maintaining party unity and addressing the demands for accountability.
At present, Green is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, where he holds a prominent role as the top Democrat on the subcommittee for oversight. His status grant him considerable influence, adding weight to the discussions about potential punitive measures.
As the Freedom Caucus continues to deliberate actions against Green, it remains to be seen how Speaker Johnson will respond to their demands for accountability. The unfolding dynamics in the House illustrate not only the tensions among party lines but also the varying perspectives within the Republican Party itself.
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Johnson and Green seeking their perspectives, but received no immediate response. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to monitor further implications for both the Democratic and Republican parties.
