Removing a certain Member from a certain standing committee of the House.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 204
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-12T13:10:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 204) aims to remove Representative Al Green from Texas from the Committee on Financial Services as a disciplinary measure. It responds to his disruptive actions during the President's State of the Union address on March 4, 2025, which the resolution describes as a breach of House decorum and dignity.
Key Provisions
- Background and Rationale: The resolution outlines a series of "Whereas" clauses detailing the incident:
- Representative Green interrupted the President's speech during a joint session of Congress, despite warnings from House staff and the Speaker.
- He was physically removed from the session by the Sergeant at Arms (the House's security officer).
- His actions are portrayed as disrespectful to democratic traditions, the House, and the Senate.
- He showed no remorse, stating on the House floor before a March 6, 2025, censure vote that he would "do it again" and acted "with intentionality."
- He led protests against his censure, further violating House rules.
- Core Action: The resolution explicitly removes Representative Green from the Committee on Financial Services.
- Reference to House Rules: It cites Clause 1 of Rule XXIII, which requires House members to behave in a way that reflects positively on the institution at all times.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend statutes or broader laws; it is an internal House procedural action.
- It enforces existing House rules on member conduct but results in a specific change to Representative Green's committee assignment, limiting his participation in that committee's work (e.g., reviewing financial policies and oversight).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, though the Committee on Financial Services oversees banking, housing, and insurance matters; Green's removal could slightly alter the committee's membership balance and influence on related agency regulations.
- On Citizens: Indirect and limited; it may affect how financial legislation is debated or passed, potentially influencing consumer protections or economic policies, but no immediate citizen-facing changes.
- On International Relations: None apparent, as the resolution focuses on domestic congressional decorum and does not involve foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Representative Al Green (Texas): Directly loses his position on a key committee, reducing his influence on financial legislation.
- Committee on Financial Services Members: Other committee members may see shifts in workload, priorities, or political dynamics due to the vacancy.
- House Leadership and Members: Sponsors (e.g., Representatives Crane, Biggs, and others) and the broader House are involved in enforcing decorum; it sets a precedent for handling disruptions.
- Congressional Ethics Committee: The resolution was referred here for review, potentially involving further investigation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with the House's authority under its own rules to discipline members for conduct violations; no challenge to external laws, but it could lead to internal appeals or ethics probes.
- Constitutional: Draws on Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants each chamber of Congress the power to "punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour" and determine its rules—reinforcing self-governance without needing Senate approval.
- Political: Highlights partisan tensions in Congress, as the resolution is sponsored by Republican members targeting a Democratic representative; it may escalate debates on free speech versus institutional decorum during high-profile events, potentially influencing future disciplinary actions or public perceptions of congressional civility.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
- 2025-03-10: Submitted in House
- 2025-03-10: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Removing a certain Member from a certain standing committee of the House. — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (3 pages)