Al Green (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Green
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Official portrait, 2011
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 9th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Chris Bell (redistricted) |
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| Born | September 1, 1947 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Florida A&M University Howard University Tuskegee University Texas Southern University (JD) |
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Alexander N. Green (born September 1, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician. He has been a U.S. representative for Texas's 9th congressional district since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a representative, Green served as a justice of the peace in Harris County, Texas from 1977 to 2004.
As a congressman, Al Green has worked on important issues. These include making sure everyone has fair housing and equal chances for jobs, especially for people who are poor or from minority groups. He also supports a woman's right to make choices about her own body. Green is part of the United States House Committee on Financial Services. Here, he has pushed for stronger rules for banks and for companies to be more responsible. On March 6, 2025, Green received a formal disapproval, called a censure. This happened because he interrupted President Donald Trump's speech to Congress a few days earlier.
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Early Life and Education
Green was born on September 1, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He went to several universities, including Florida A&M University, Howard University, and Tuskegee University. Even though he didn't get an undergraduate degree from these schools, he earned a law degree (called a Juris Doctor) in 1973. He got this degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
In 1974, Green helped start a law firm. He also served as the president of the Houston branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. This organization works for civil rights.
From 1977 to 2004, Green worked as a justice of the peace in Harris County, Texas. This role involves handling minor legal cases and keeping the peace.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
In 2004, after new district maps were drawn, Al Green ran for Congress. He won the Democratic primary election in Texas' 9th congressional district. He then won the general election that year. Since 2005, Green has been re-elected to his position 10 times.
Key Work in Congress
In Congress, Green has focused on making sure people have fair housing. He also works to ensure fair hiring practices for people who are poor or from minority groups.
After the 2012 election, Green spoke about the need to fix the federal budget. He also suggested a plan to invest in roads and bridges. This plan aimed to create jobs and help the economy grow.
Green has supported the Federal Reserve's efforts to help the economy recover after the 2008 financial crisis. He believes these actions have helped the country's economy improve.
Important Moments in Congress
On May 17, 2017, Green suggested that President Donald Trump should be removed from office. He brought up this idea again on July 16, 2019. The House of Representatives voted on this idea, but it did not pass.
During a meeting of the House Financial Services Committee on April 10, 2019, Green asked some direct questions. He asked why all the top leaders from major banks were white men. He also asked if they thought their future leaders would be people of color or women.
On February 6, 2024, Green left the hospital briefly to vote. He voted against removing Alejandro Mayorkas from his position. The vote was very close, and Mayorkas was not removed that day.
2025 Donald Trump Speech Incident
On March 4, 2025, during a speech by President Donald Trump to Congress, Green stood up and spoke out. He disagreed with Trump's statement about his election victory. Because Green kept interrupting, the House Speaker ordered him to be escorted out. The next day, the House voted to formally disapprove of Green's actions. This is called a censure. Ten Democrats joined all Republicans in voting for the censure. After the vote, Green and other Democratic representatives sang the civil rights song "We Shall Overcome".
Committees and Groups
Green is a member of several important committees and groups in Congress:
- Committee on Financial Services
- United States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (He is the lead Democrat on this subcommittee)
- United States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
He is also part of many caucuses (groups of lawmakers who share common interests), including:
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Congressional Urban Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- U.S.–Japan Caucus
- Medicare for All Caucus
Political Views
Green supports a woman's right to make choices about her body. He has consistently voted against laws that would limit these rights.
He also supports gun control. After the Trayvon Martin shooting, Green asked people to trust the justice system.
Green voted to help the auto industry in 2009. He said that helping the auto industry was really about helping the people who might lose their jobs.
Green is a strong supporter of keeping Pakistan as an ally. After the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007, Green spoke out. He said the assassination was an attempt to stop democracy. He urged Pakistanis to keep working towards freedom and justice.
On December 6, 2017, Green criticized President Donald Trump for comments about transgender people. Green is a member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. On February 25, 2021, Green gave a powerful speech supporting the Equality Act. He compared using religion to oppose the bill to how religion was used to support racist policies in the past.
On October 25, 2023, Green was one of a few Democrats who voted against a resolution supporting Israel after the October 7 attacks. The resolution stated that the House of Representatives supported Israel's defense against attacks.
Personal Life
Al Green is a Baptist Christian. He is divorced. In 2024, he had intestinal surgery.
See also
