When you hear the name Al Green, you might think of the smooth soul singer, but in the halls of the U.S. Capitol, the name carries a very different kind of weight. It belongs to Congressman Al Green, the representative for Texas’s 9th District, a man who has made a career out of being the person willing to stand completely alone if that's what he thinks is right. Honestly, it’s kinda his trademark. Whether you love him or can’t stand his politics, you’ve got to admit he isn’t afraid of a fight.
He’s the guy who forced the House to vote on impeaching Donald Trump long before it was the popular thing for Democrats to do. Back in 2017, the party leadership basically told him to sit down and be quiet. He didn't.
Why Congressman Al Green Still Matters in 2026
Right now, in early 2026, Green is still making headlines. Just a few days ago, on January 9, he stood on the House floor and gave a pretty jarring speech about fearing for the safety of the American people—and his own life. He’s calling for impeachment again. It’s a familiar rhythm for him. Some call it grandstanding; others call it "righteous resistance," a phrase his family taught him growing up in the segregated South.
But here is the thing: Green isn't just about the big, flashy floor speeches. He’s deep in the weeds of the Financial Services Committee. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, he’s the one grilling bank CEOs and pushing for "deposit insurance reform" to protect regular people's money.
His background is pretty interesting because he didn't follow the "perfect" path. He attended Florida A&M and Howard, but he actually never got an undergraduate degree. Instead, he went straight into law school at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He earned his J.D. in 1973 and then spent 26 years as a Justice of the Peace in Harris County. That’s a long time to be a local judge before jumping into the national spotlight in 2005.
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The 2026 Redistricting Shake-up
If you follow Texas politics, you know things are getting weird with the maps. There is a lot of talk about Green potentially moving districts. According to recent filings, he’s on the ballot for the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026, but for the 18th District instead of his usual 9th. This is a huge deal. The 18th was the seat held by the late Sheila Jackson Lee, and the race is getting crowded with names like Amanda Edwards and Christian Menefee.
Redistricting in Texas is a mess. It always is. For Green, this move represents a significant shift in his long political career, which has spanned over two decades in the House. He’s been re-elected 10 times. People in Houston know him. He’s the guy who responds to "How are you?" by saying, "Better than I deserve."
What Really Happened With the Impeachment Crusade?
A lot of people think Al Green just started talking about impeachment because it was trendy. That's a total misconception. He was the first lawmaker to introduce and force a vote on three articles of impeachment against Trump during the 115th and 116th Congresses.
He once said that a President doesn't even have to commit a crime to be impeached—they just have to "betray the trust" of the office. He even brought articles of impeachment in May 2025 regarding conflicts with the judicial branch.
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- May 2025: Articles regarding judicial conflicts.
- June 2025: Articles regarding military actions in Iran without Congressional approval.
- January 2026: Renewed calls for impeachment based on public safety concerns.
It's a lot. His colleagues often look exhausted when he heads to the microphone, but Green doesn't seem to care about being popular in the cloakroom. He often quotes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saying it’s better to stand alone than not to stand at all.
Legislation Beyond the Headlines
While the news loves the drama, Green’s actual legislative record is very focused on "fair housing" and "fair hiring." He’s a big proponent of the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which got about $10 billion in funding through the American Rescue Plan. He also pushes for things like the "Slavery Remembrance Day" resolution and a Cabinet-level Department of Reconciliation.
He’s basically trying to use the financial system to fix social problems. He’s the guy asking why all the big bank executives are white men and literally asking them to raise their hands if they think their successor will be a person of color. It’s awkward. It’s uncomfortable. And that is exactly how he likes it.
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He also recently sponsored an amendment to make sure low-income families can actually get disaster resources. Living in Houston, he knows all about flooding. The American Flood Coalition even called him a "Federal Champion" for his work on sea-level rise and storm mitigation.
Actionable Insights for Following the 2026 Primary
If you're trying to keep up with what's happening in Texas politics this year, here are a few things to keep an eye on regarding Congressman Al Green from Texas:
- Watch the 18th District Primary: The March 3rd primary will be a massive test of his staying power in a new district.
- Monitor Financial Services Hearings: If you want to see him in his element, watch the House Financial Services Committee clips. He’s currently the Ranking Member of Oversight and Investigations, meaning he has a lot of power to demand documents and testimony from big financial institutions.
- Check the Floor Speeches: Green uses the "1-minute" speeches at the start and end of the day to signal what he’s going to do next. If he starts talking about a specific issue there, a bill or an impeachment resolution usually follows within 48 hours.
The man has been in the public eye since 1977. He’s seen the transition of Houston from a segregated city to one of the most diverse metros in the world. He’s stayed consistent on his core issues: civil rights, housing, and holding the executive branch accountable. As the 2026 election cycle heats up, his role as a "lone wolf" agitator in the Democratic party is only going to get more intense.
To stay updated on his latest legislative filings or to see his floor schedule, you can visit the official House website or track his voting record via Congress.gov. Keeping an eye on the Texas Secretary of State's website will also provide the final word on his district placement and primary opponents as the March deadline approaches.