North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards is formally censured over harassment allegations
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to censure Republican Representative Chuck Edwards following an ethics investigation into sexual harassment allegations. Edwards, who has denied the claims, previously announced he would not seek reelection.
Why it matters
The censure is a rare and severe disciplinary action that underscores the House's stance on workplace conduct and ethics.
The Republican-led House has voted to censure outgoing Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., after a months-long investigation by the ethics committee into allegations he sexually harassed two young female staff members.
The vote on Tuesday was 413 to 2. A censure, which is tantamount to public shaming on the House floor, is the strongest punishment the House can adopt against a member short of expulsion.
Edwards has denied the allegations, but ended his reelection bid after the House Ethics Committee posted their investigative findings last month.
Speaking from the House floor ahead of the censure vote, Edwards pleaded with his colleagues to "judge me on the facts, not on the inference, insinuation or headlines."
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