Democrats wheeled Texas Rep. Al Green to the House floor Tuesday night to save Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas from impeachment – while Green donned hospital clothing.
The House voted in November 209-201 to refer articles of impeachment against Mayorkas to committee, with eight Republicans voting with Democrats to prevent a full House vote. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reintroduced the resolution later that month.
Green was in the hospital Tuesday recovering from an emergency abdominal surgery Friday but spoke to his doctors to be cleared to leave his room temporarily to go to Capitol Hill, The New York Times (NYT) reported.
Dem Rep. Al Greene – wheeled in just as the vote appeared headed toward a tie, no shoes on, in what looked like hospital scrubs as pants – said he had surgery. But came to vote against the impeachment.
Hakeem Jeffries shook his hand after he arrived
— Jonathan Tamari (@JonathanTamari) February 6, 2024
Green reportedly called Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who then arranged transportation for the Texas representative to make it to the Capitol.
The Times lays out the scene, bringing attention to Green’s gown and socks:
“Then, like a scene out of a political thriller, Representative Al Green…appeared at the last moment to cast a surprise ballot – from a wheelchair, wearing blue hospital clothing and tan socks.”
Green voted “no” on Mayorkas’ impeachment and tied the decision 215 to 215. (RELATED: A Resounding Betrayal: Republicans, Conservatives React To Failed Mayorkas Impeachment)
Green returned to his hospital room shortly after the vote, according to The Times.
“I was determined to cast the vote long before – I had no idea how close it was going to be,” Green said in an interview from his hospital bed, according to the NYT. “I didn’t come assuming my vote was going to make a difference. I came because it was personal.”
“I had to cast this vote because this is a good, decent man whose reputation should not be besmirched,” Green reportedly said regarding Mayorkas.
Republican Utah Rep. Blake Moore voted “no” on impeachment alongside three other Republicans, though Moore’s vote was a strategic switch so that there could be a motion to reconsider next week.