House Votes to Censure Chuck Edwards Over Harassment Allegations

The North Carolina Republican ended his reelection bid following mounting pressure from his party.

House Budget Committee Reconciliation

Tuesday’s measure does not strip Edwards of his committee assignments or restrict his voting abilities, but is the highest form of discipline a member can receive short of expulsion. (Bill Clark/AP)

The House voted to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards on Tuesday following a House Ethics Committee report that determined there was “substantial evidence” that the North Carolina Republican engaged in “persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young staffers.”

The measure passed 413-2, with Edwards and another Republican voting against censure. The Ethics Committee recommended the move after its investigation this year concluded that “there was substantial reason to believe Representative Edwards violated House Rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces.”

“The Committee therefore has recommended that the House of Representatives adopt the Report, and with it, a censure of Representative Edwards for the conduct described therein,” the committee wrote in an August press release.