Democrats say she crossed the line but conservatives do not agree.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has introduced a resolution to censure Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, following a comment Boebert made about Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas. This move highlights the ongoing tension within the House of Representatives as partisan divisions continue to grow.
Houlahan’s resolution stems from an interview Boebert gave on March 7 with Real America’s Voice News. In the interview, Boebert strongly criticized Green for his behavior during President Donald Trump’s second-term address to Congress, where Green interrupted the president’s speech, shouting about Medicaid cuts and waving his cane at Trump. Boebert described Green’s actions as “abhorrent” and accused him of failing to show proper decorum, stating, “Al Green was given multiple opportunities to stand down, to sit down, to behave, to show decorum.”
In her resolution, Houlahan argues that Boebert’s remarks were “disparaging, derogatory, and racist,” suggesting that the comments breached the standards of conduct expected from members of the House of Representatives. The resolution calls for Boebert to be censured and for a formal reading of the censure on the House floor.
This move comes on the heels of a House vote to censure Green for his disruptive actions during Trump’s address. Though Green’s behavior was certainly provocative, it’s important to note that there is an ongoing debate about consistency in how such rules are enforced. Houlahan herself, who initially voted to table the motion to censure Green, later sided with Republicans in support of the censure, a decision that she admitted was difficult. She emphasized the need for consistency and adherence to House rules but expressed frustration that some members—particularly Republicans—have been able to break those same rules with little to no consequence.
For instance, she pointed to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s actions in previous years, such as yelling at President Biden and wearing a MAGA hat on the House floor, and questioned why these behaviors weren’t met with similar consequences. Houlahan criticized what she described as a “hypocrisy” in the treatment of different members, arguing that both sides of the aisle need to hold each other accountable in a consistent manner.
Houlahan’s decision to introduce the censure resolution highlights the current climate in Congress, where partisanship and personal grievances often override productive legislative work. While it’s important for members of Congress to uphold decorum and maintain a respectful environment, the inconsistency in enforcement of these standards suggests that political motivations often shape how rules are applied. Boebert, a vocal conservative figure, has often been a target of liberal lawmakers, while other members have similarly disrupted proceedings with little to no consequences. Houlahan’s resolution may be a call for more consistent standards, but it also underscores the divisions that continue to plague the House. For Republicans, this situation further highlights the need for a fair application of rules and a commitment to upholding the principles of freedom and respect in Congress.