Floor SpeechNeutral2026-02-24

STATE OF OUR UNION IS FRAGILE

EnvironmentLaborEthics

Context

On 2026-02-24, Representative Al Green (D-TX-9) delivered a floor speech titled "STATE OF OUR UNION IS FRAGILE" in the House. The speech addressed the environment and also covered labor policy, ethics.

Full Text

STATE OF OUR UNION IS FRAGILE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)] [House] [Page H2262] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STATE OF OUR UNION IS FRAGILE (Mr. Green of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, and still I rise. I rise today to state the state of the Union. Madam Speaker, the state of the Union is fragile. It is fragile because we have a President who does not respect democracy. He believes that he can go to war at will without conferring with the Congress of the United States of America. He believes that there is no such thing as separation of powers. He believes that if he thinks it is right, then the courts have to agree. He doesn't believe in due process of the law. He would have people be picked up on the streets and taken off to some distant place without any indication as to where they are, such that family members can understand that they are at least okay. He is a reckless, ruthless President, and what he is doing at the top has influenced things all the way down the line to the very bottom. We now have officers who have taken the lives of two people, two Americans, Madam Speaker. They were unarmed, Madam Speaker. They were not a threat, Madam Speaker. Two American citizens have lost their lives, and we have just moved on. Madam Speaker, our democracy is at risk because we have a President who disrespects the rule of law. He believes that if the ends can justify the means, then any means are available to him to utilize to do whatever he chooses. If we allow this to continue, Madam Speaker, the Constitution will be meaningless. There is but one solution to a reckless, ruthless, lawless President. It has to be utilized because we want history to show that we had the courage to do what was right. Dr. King has given us the notion that the time is always right to do what is right. There is but one solution, and that solution is impeachment, trial, and conviction, but if not trial and conviction, impeachment, so that those who look through the vista of time will understand that we took a stand against a reckless, ruthless, lawless President. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. ____________________

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STATE OF OUR UNION IS FRAGILE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)] [House] [Page H2262] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STATE OF OUR UNION IS FRAGILE (Mr. Green of Texas was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, and still I rise. I rise today to state the state of the Union. Madam Speaker, the state of the Union is fragile. It is fragile because we have a President who does not respect democracy. He believes that he can go to war at will without conferring with the Congress of the United States of America. He believes that there is no such thing as separation of powers. He believes that if he thinks it is right, then the courts have to agree. He doesn't believe in due process of the law. He would have people be picked up on the streets and taken off to some distant place without any indication as to where they are, such that family members can understand that they are at least okay. He is a reckless, ruthless President, and what he is doing at the top has influenced things all the way down the line to the very bottom. We now have officers who have taken the lives of two people, two Americans, Madam Speaker. They were unarmed, Madam Speaker. They were not a threat, Madam Speaker. Two American citizens have lost their lives, and we have just moved on. Madam Speaker, our democracy is at risk because we have a President who disrespects the rule of law. He believes that if the ends can justify the means, then any means are available to him to utilize to do whatever he chooses. If we allow this to continue, Madam Speaker, the Constitution will be meaningless. There is but one solution to a reckless, ruthless, lawless President. It has to be utilized because we want history to show that we had the courage to do what was right. Dr. King has given us the notion that the time is always right to do what is right. There is but one solution, and that solution is impeachment, trial, and conviction, but if not trial and conviction, impeachment, so that those who look through the vista of time will understand that we took a stand against a reckless, ruthless, lawless President. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. ____________________