Moderates reveal why they didn't join fellow Dems to censure Al Green

House Democrats who voted against censuring Rep. Al Green spoke with Fox News Digital after the contentious morning on the House floor.

Reps. Jared Golden, left, and Josh Riley, right, told Fox News Digital why they voted against censuring Rep. Al Green, center. (Getty Images/AP)

Of those, just two – Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Josh Riley, D-N.Y. – offered responses.

"In today’s environment, censure tends only to give a greater platform to the censured legislator. So I tend to lean in favor of free speech unless a clear red line is crossed," Golden told Fox News Digital.

The Maine Democrat's written statement also included a link to a reference of his vote in favor of censuring "Squad" member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., over her anti-Israel comments.

He did, however, offer criticism for Green's interruption of Trump's speech.

"I voted against censuring Rep. Green because I don’t believe he crossed that line – and I don’t believe it’s in the House’s interest to draw even greater attention to his misguided behavior," Golden explained.

Rep. Al Green is removed from the chamber Tuesday night. (Win McNamee/Pool Photo via AP)

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The 77-year-old Democrat was unrepentant, posting on X on Thursday afternoon, "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."

The 10 Democrats who voted to censure Green are Reps. Ami Bera, D-Calif.; Ed Case, D-Hawaii; Jim Costa, D-Calif.; Laura Gillen, D-N.Y.; Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.; Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio; Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.; Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash.; and Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y.

Green himself voted "present," as did first-term Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com

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