House Censures Rep. Chuck Edwards Over Harassment Allegations
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The U.S. House voted 413-2 to censure Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards after an ethics investigation found substantial evidence of sexual harassment toward two female staffers.
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to censure Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina following a month-long ethics investigation that concluded he violated the chamber’s prohibition on sexual harassment. The bipartisan Ethics Committee’s 25-page report said Edwards sent personal late-night texts with romantic content, paid for vacations, and gave expensive gifts such as jewelry, a new cell phone and tickets to a Broadway show, actions that made two female staffers quit their positions.
The committee found “substantial evidence” of misconduct and recommended a censure, the first such recommendation since 2010. The full House approved the measure by a 413-2 vote, with members of both parties, including Speaker Mike Johnson, supporting the action.
In remarks before the vote, Edwards apologized for creating an uncomfortable environment but denied any sexual harassment, stating, "Regret is not an admission of sexual harassment," and later, "I am imperfect. I have made mistakes, but I do not believe I committed sexual harassment."
Edwards had argued that his behavior—sending gifts, compliments and poetry—did not constitute sexual misconduct, writing to colleagues that an affectionate friendship is not a sexual proposition. After the censure, he said he was not surprised by the outcome and expressed a desire to move on with his life.
Censures are rare disciplinary actions reserved for serious ethical breaches, though they have become more frequent in recent years. Six members have been censured since 2021, and three other lawmakers faced potential disciplinary votes this year before resigning amid separate scandals.