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Process & Rules
Expelled and Censured Members of Congress
Congress has expelled 21 members in its history — 6 from the House and 15 from the Senate, 14 of them senators who sided with the Confederacy. Every expulsion, censure and reprimand on record, from the House and Senate historians.
Most recent action: House censure, September 1, 2026 · Sources: House Office of the Historian, Senate Historical Office
Quick Answer
- Members ever expelled
- 21 — 6 House, 15 Senate
- Expelled since 1900
- 3 House members (Michael J. Myers, 1980; James A. Traficant, 2002; George Santos, 2023); no senators
- Censured
- 29 in the House, 9 in the Senate
- Reprimanded (House)
- 11
- Vote to expel
- Two-thirds of the chamber
- Vote to censure
- Simple majority
- Most recent
- Chuck Edwards (House censure), September 1, 2026
How Congress disciplines its members
The Constitution
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
EXPULSION
⅔ vote
Removes the member from office
CENSURE
Majority
Formal disapproval; member keeps the seat
REPRIMAND
Majority
House only; a lesser rebuke than censure
Expulsion is the only punishment that removes a member, and the Constitution sets its bar at two-thirds of those present and voting. Each chamber judges its own members; neither can expel the other’s.
Censure is a formal statement of disapproval adopted by majority vote. It does not remove a member or take away their rights. In the House, the censured member stands in the well while the Speaker reads the resolution aloud, as a public rebuke. The Senate has used other words for the same thing — “condemned” and “denounced” — and the word censure need not appear in the resolution.
Reprimand is the House’s milder sanction. For most of its history the House used it interchangeably with censure; since the ethics process was formalized in the late 1960s it has meant a rebuke less severe than censure.
Members facing expulsion have often resigned before the vote — several of the Senate cases below ended that way, which is why the Senate’s list of cases is longer than its list of expulsions.
Every member expelled from the House (6)
Three for joining the Confederacy in 1861; 3 since, each after a criminal indictment or conviction.
| Member | Cause |
|---|---|
| George SantosDecember 1, 2023 · 311-114, 2 present | Federally indicted on 23 counts including: wire fraud, money laundering, stealing public funds, lying on Federal financial disclosure forms to the House of Representatives, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. Per the expulsion resolution, Santos “knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission, used campaign funds for personal purposes, engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with [company name] and engaged in knowing and willful violations of the Ethics in Government Act.” |
| James A. TraficantJuly 24, 2002 · 420-1, 9 present | Convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, defraud U.S., receipt of illegal gratuities, obstruction of justice, filing false tax returns, and racketeering |
| Michael J. MyersOctober 2, 1980 · 376-30 | Convicted of bribery |
| Henry C. BurnettDecember 3, 1861 · No recorded vote | Disloyalty to the Union; fighting for the Confederacy |
| John W. ReidDecember 2, 1861 · No recorded vote | Disloyalty to the Union; fighting for the Confederacy |
| John B. ClarkJuly 13, 1861 · 94-45 | Disloyalty to the Union; fighting for the Confederacy |
George Santos
December 1, 2023 · 311-114, 2 present
Federally indicted on 23 counts including: wire fraud, money laundering, stealing public funds, lying on Federal financial disclosure forms to the House of Representatives, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. Per the expulsion resolution, Santos “knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission, used campaign funds for personal purposes, engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with [company name] and engaged in knowing and willful violations of the Ethics in Government Act.”
James A. Traficant
July 24, 2002 · 420-1, 9 present
Convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, defraud U.S., receipt of illegal gratuities, obstruction of justice, filing false tax returns, and racketeering
Michael J. Myers
October 2, 1980 · 376-30
Convicted of bribery
Henry C. Burnett
December 3, 1861 · No recorded vote
Disloyalty to the Union; fighting for the Confederacy
John W. Reid
December 2, 1861 · No recorded vote
Disloyalty to the Union; fighting for the Confederacy
John B. Clark
July 13, 1861 · 94-45
Disloyalty to the Union; fighting for the Confederacy
Senate expulsion cases (30; 15 expelled)
The Senate has expelled 15 senators, 14 of them during the Civil War. It has not expelled anyone since 1862; its other cases ended in resignation, acquittal, or no action.
| Senator | Charge |
|---|---|
| Robert W. Packwood (R-OR)1995 · Resigned | Sexual misconduct and abuse of powerThe Committee on Ethics recommended that Packwood be expelled for abuse of his power as a senator "by repeatedly committing social misconduct" and "by engaging in a deliberate ... plan to enhance his personal financial position" by seeking favors "from persons who had a particular interest in legislation of issues" that he could influence, as well as for seeking "to obstruct and impede the committee's inquires by withholding, alerting, and destroying relevant evidence." On September 7, 1995, the day after the committee issued its recommendation, Packwood announced his resignation without specifying an effective date. On September 8, he indicated that he would resign effective October 1, 1995. |
| Harrison A. Williams, Jr. (D-NJ)1982 · Resigned | CorruptionThe Committee on Ethics recommended that Williams be expelled because of his "ethically repugnant" conduct in the Abscam scandal, for which he was convicted of conspiracy, bribery, and conflict of interest. Prior to a Senate vote on his expulsion, Williams resigned on March 11, 1982. |
| William Langer (R-ND)1942 · Not Expelled | CorruptionRecommending that this case was properly one of exclusion, not expulsion, the Committee on Privileges and Elections declared Langer guilty of moral turpitude and voted 13 to 2 to deny him his seat. The Senate disagreed, 52 to 30, arguing that the evidence was hearsay and inconclusive. Langer retained his seat. |
| John H. Overton (D-LA)1934 · No Senate action | Election fraudThe Committee on Privileges and Elections concluded that the charges and evidence were insufficient to warrant further consideration. |
| Huey P. Long (D-LA)1934 · No Senate action | Election fraudThe Committee on Privileges and Elections considered this case in conjunction with that against Senator Overton (see Note 12) and reached the same conclusion. |
| Burton K. Wheeler (D-MT)1924 · Not Expelled | Conflict of interestWheeler was indicted for serving while a senator in cases in which the U.S. was a party. A Senate committee, however, found that his dealings related to litigation before state courts and that he received no compensation for any service before the federal departments. The Senate exonerated him by a vote of 56 to 5. |
| Truman H. Newberry (R-MI)1922 · Resigned | Election fraudOn March 20, 1920, Newberry was convicted on charges of spending $3,750 to secure his Senate election. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned this decision (May 2, 1921) on the ground that the U.S. Senate exceeded its powers in attempting to regulate primary elections. By a vote of 46 to 41 (January 12, 1922), the Senate declared Newberry to have been duly elected in 1918. On November 18—two days before the start of the 3rd session of the 67th Congress—Newberry resigned as certain members resumed their efforts to unseat him. |
| Robert M. La Follette (R-WI)1919 · Not Expelled | DisloyaltyThe Committee on Privileges and Elections recommended that the Senate take no action since the speech in question (a 1917 speech opposing U.S. entry into World War I) did not warrant it. The Senate agreed 50 to 21. |
| Reed Smoot (R-UT)1907 · Not Expelled | MormonismAfter an investigation spanning two years, the Committee on Privileges and Elections reported that Smoot was not entitled to his seat because he was a leader in a religion that advocated polygamy and a union of church and state, contrary to the U.S. Constitution. By a vote of 27 to 43, however, the Senate failed to expel him, finding that he satisfied the constitutional requirements for serving as a senator. |
| Joseph R. Burton (R-KS)1906 · Resigned | CorruptionBurton was indicted and convicted of receiving compensation for intervening with a federal agency. When the Supreme Court upheld his conviction, he resigned rather than face expulsion. |
| William N. Roach (D-ND)1893 · Not Expelled | EmbezzlementAfter extensive deliberation, the Senate took no action, assuring that it lacked jurisdiction over members' behavior before their election to the Senate. The alleged embezzlement had occurred 13 years earlier. |
| James W. Patterson (R-NH)1873 · Term Expired | CorruptionA Senate select committee recommended expulsion on February 27. On March 1, a Republican caucus decided that there was insufficient time remaining in the session to deliberate the matter. Patterson's term expired March 3, and no further action was taken. |
| Lazarus W. Powell (D-KY)1862 · Not Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Trusten Polk (D-MO)1862 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Waldo P. Johnson (D-MO)1862 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Jesse D. Bright (D-IN)1862 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| James F. Simmons (R-RI)1862 · Resigned | CorruptionOn July 14, 1862, the Judiciary Committee reported that the charges against Simmons were essentially correct. The Senate adjourned three days later, and Simmons resigned on September 5 before the Senate could take action. |
| James M. Mason (D-VA)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Robert M. T. Hunter (D-VA)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Thomas L. Clingman (D-NC)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Thomas Bragg (D-NC)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| James Chesnut, Jr. (D-SC)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Alfred O. P. Nicholson (D-TN)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| William K. Sebastian (D-AR)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellionOn March 3, 1877, the Senate reversed its decision to expel Sebastian. Because Sebastian had died in 1865, his children were paid an amount equal to his Senate salary between the time of his expulsion and the date of his death. |
| Charles B. Mitchel (D-AR)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| John Hemphill (D-TX)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| Louis T. Wigfall (D-TX)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellionIn March 1861, the Senate took no action on an initial resolution expelling Wigfall because he represented a state that had seceded from the Union. Three months later, on July 10, 1861, he was expelled for supporting the Confederacy. |
| John C. Breckinridge (D-KY)1861 · Expelled | Support for Confederate rebellion |
| John Smith (DR-OH)1808 · Not Expelled | Disloyalty/TreasonExpulsion failed 19 to 10—less than the necessary two-thirds majority. At request of the Ohio legislature, Smith resigned two weeks after the vote. (His counsel was Francis Scott Key.) |
| William Blount (R-TN)1797 · Expelled | Anti-Spanish conspiracy; treason |
Robert W. Packwood (R-OR)
1995 · Sexual misconduct and abuse of power
Harrison A. Williams, Jr. (D-NJ)
1982 · Corruption
William Langer (R-ND)
1942 · Corruption
John H. Overton (D-LA)
1934 · Election fraud
Huey P. Long (D-LA)
1934 · Election fraud
Burton K. Wheeler (D-MT)
1924 · Conflict of interest
Truman H. Newberry (R-MI)
1922 · Election fraud
Robert M. La Follette (R-WI)
1919 · Disloyalty
Reed Smoot (R-UT)
1907 · Mormonism
Joseph R. Burton (R-KS)
1906 · Corruption
William N. Roach (D-ND)
1893 · Embezzlement
James W. Patterson (R-NH)
1873 · Corruption
Lazarus W. Powell (D-KY)
1862 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Trusten Polk (D-MO)
1862 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Waldo P. Johnson (D-MO)
1862 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Jesse D. Bright (D-IN)
1862 · Support for Confederate rebellion
James F. Simmons (R-RI)
1862 · Corruption
James M. Mason (D-VA)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Robert M. T. Hunter (D-VA)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Thomas L. Clingman (D-NC)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Thomas Bragg (D-NC)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
James Chesnut, Jr. (D-SC)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Alfred O. P. Nicholson (D-TN)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
William K. Sebastian (D-AR)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Charles B. Mitchel (D-AR)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
John Hemphill (D-TX)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
Louis T. Wigfall (D-TX)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
John C. Breckinridge (D-KY)
1861 · Support for Confederate rebellion
John Smith (DR-OH)
1808 · Disloyalty/Treason
William Blount (R-TN)
1797 · Anti-Spanish conspiracy; treason
Censures
29 House members and 9 senators have been censured. 7 of the House censures came after 2000.
Senate (9)
| Senator | Charge |
|---|---|
| David F. Durenberger (R-MN)July 25, 1990 · Denounced 96–0 | Unethical conduct in personal business dealings, Senate reimbursements, and using campaign contributions for personal use. |
| Herman E. Talmadge (D-GA)October 11, 1979 · Denounced 81–15 | Improper financial conduct (1973-1978), accepting reimbursements of $43,435.83 for official expenses not incurred, and improper reporting of campaign receipts and expenditures. |
| Thomas J. Dodd (D-CT)June 23, 1967 · Censured 92–5 | Use of his office (1961-1965) to convert campaign funds to his personal benefit. Conduct unbecoming a senator. |
| Joseph R. McCarthy (R-WI)December 2, 1954 · Condemned 67–22 | Abuse and noncooperation with the Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections during a 1952 investigation of his conduct, for abuse of the Select Committee to Study Censure. |
| Hiram Bingham (R-CT)November 4, 1929 · Condemned 54–22; 18 not voting | Employing as a Senate staff member Charles Eyanson, who was simultaneously employed by the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut. Eyanson was hired to assist Bingham on tariff legislation. The issue broadened into the question of the government employing dollar-a-year-men. |
| Benjamin R. Tillman (D-SC) and John L. McLaurin (D-SC)February 28, 1902 · Censured & Suspended 54–12; 22 not voting | Fighting in the Senate chamber on Feb 22, 1902. |
| Benjamin Tappan (D-OH)May 10, 1844 · Censured 38–7 | Releasing to the New York Evening Post a copy of President John Tyler's message to the Senate on April 22, 1844 regarding the treaty of annexation between the U.S. and the Republic of Texas. |
| Timothy Pickering (F-MA)January 2, 1811 · Censured 20–7 | Reading confidential documents in open Senate session before an injunction of secrecy was removed. |
David F. Durenberger (R-MN)
July 25, 1990 · Denounced 96–0
Unethical conduct in personal business dealings, Senate reimbursements, and using campaign contributions for personal use.
Herman E. Talmadge (D-GA)
October 11, 1979 · Denounced 81–15
Improper financial conduct (1973-1978), accepting reimbursements of $43,435.83 for official expenses not incurred, and improper reporting of campaign receipts and expenditures.
Thomas J. Dodd (D-CT)
June 23, 1967 · Censured 92–5
Use of his office (1961-1965) to convert campaign funds to his personal benefit. Conduct unbecoming a senator.
Joseph R. McCarthy (R-WI)
December 2, 1954 · Condemned 67–22
Abuse and noncooperation with the Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections during a 1952 investigation of his conduct, for abuse of the Select Committee to Study Censure.
Hiram Bingham (R-CT)
November 4, 1929 · Condemned 54–22; 18 not voting
Employing as a Senate staff member Charles Eyanson, who was simultaneously employed by the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut. Eyanson was hired to assist Bingham on tariff legislation. The issue broadened into the question of the government employing dollar-a-year-men.
Benjamin R. Tillman (D-SC) and John L. McLaurin (D-SC)
February 28, 1902 · Censured & Suspended 54–12; 22 not voting
Fighting in the Senate chamber on Feb 22, 1902.
Benjamin Tappan (D-OH)
May 10, 1844 · Censured 38–7
Releasing to the New York Evening Post a copy of President John Tyler's message to the Senate on April 22, 1844 regarding the treaty of annexation between the U.S. and the Republic of Texas.
Timothy Pickering (F-MA)
January 2, 1811 · Censured 20–7
Reading confidential documents in open Senate session before an injunction of secrecy was removed.
House (29)
| Member | Cause |
|---|---|
| Chuck EdwardsSeptember 1, 2026 · 413-2 | Per H. Rept. 119-756, for having “violated the House Code of Official Conduct by failing to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers.” |
| Al GreenMarch 6, 2025 · 224-198, 2 present | Per the censure resolution, for conduct during a Joint Address by the President which “disrupted the proceedings of the joint address and was a breach of proper conduct.” |
| Jamaal BowmanDecember 7, 2023 · 214-191, 5 present | Per the censure resolution, for having “forced the evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building and disrupted the work of the Congress as a vote was underway on the floor of the House.” |
| Rashida TlaibNovember 7, 2023 · 234-188, 4 present | Per the censure resolution, for “promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.” |
| Adam SchiffJune 21, 2023 · 213-209, 6 present | Per the censure resolution, for “misleading the American public and for conduct unbecoming of an elected Member of the House of Representatives.” |
| Paul GosarNovember 17, 2021 · 223-207, 1 present | Per the censure resolution, for having “posted a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden .” |
| Charles B. RangelDecember 2, 2010 · 333-79 | Misuse of congressional letterhead for fundraising; impermissible use of rent-controlled facility for campaign headquarters; inaccurate financial reports and federal tax returns |
| Gerry E. StuddsJuly 20, 1983 · 420-3, 2 present | Sexual misconduct with a House Page |
| Daniel B. CraneJuly 20, 1983 · 421-3, 2 present | Sexual misconduct with a House Page |
| Charles H. WilsonJune 10, 1980 · By voice vote | Receiving improper gifts; improper use of congressional funds; improper personal use of campaign funds |
| Charles C. DiggsJuly 31, 1979 · 414-0, 4 present | Convicted on 11 counts of mail fraud and 18 counts of false statements in a payroll fraud scandal |
| Thomas L. BlantonOctober 27, 1921 · 293-0, 26 present | Unparliamentary language for inserting a document into the Congressional Record that contained indecent and obscene language |
| William D. BynumMay 17, 1890 · 126-104 | Unparliamentary language for insulting a Member during debate |
| John Y. BrownFebruary 4, 1875 · 161-79 | Unparliamentary language for insulting a Member during debate |
| Oakes AmesFebruary 27, 1873 · 182-36 | Sold $33 million worth of stock in the "Crédit Mobilier" scandal to Members of Congress and executive officials at an undervalued price to influence votes and decisions |
| James BrooksFebruary 27, 1873 · 174-32 | Solicited and accepted 50 shares of "Crédit Mobilier" stock at undervalued prices |
| Roderick R. ButlerMarch 17, 1870 · 158-0 | Sold a military academy appointment |
| John T. DeWeeseMarch 1, 1870 · 170-0 | Sold a military academy appointmentDeWeese resigned before expulsion and the House "condemned" him. |
| Benjamin WhittemoreFebruary 24, 1870 · 187-0 | Sold multiple military academy appointmentsWhittemore resigned before expulsion and the House "condemned" him. |
| Edward D. HolbrookFebruary 4, 1869 · No recorded vote | Unparliamentary language for stating in debate that another Member made false assertions |
| Fernando WoodJanuary 15, 1868 · 114-39 | Unparliamentary language for describing Reconstruction legislation as a "monstrosity" |
| John W. HunterJanuary 26, 1867 · 77-33 | Unparliamentary language for insulting a Member during debate |
| Lovell H. RousseauJuly 17, 1866 · 89-30 | Assaulting Representative Josiah Grinnell of Iowa with a caneRousseau was formally censured before the bar of the House on July 21, 1866. |
| John W. ChanlerMay 14, 1866 · 72-30 | Insulting the House by introducing resolution containing unparliamentary language |
| Alexander LongApril 14, 1864 · 80-70 | Supporting the recognition of the Confederacy in a floor speech |
| Benjamin G. HarrisApril 9, 1864 · 98-20 | Encouraged Confederacy in House debate to expel Representative Alexander Long |
| Laurence M. KeittJuly 16, 1856 · 106-96 | Assisting in assault on Senator Charles Sumner |
| Joshua R. GiddingsMarch 22, 1842 · 125-69 | "Unwarranted and unwarrantable" conduct for presenting a series of anti-slavery resolutions violating the House gag rule |
| William StanberyJuly 11, 1832 · 93-44 | Insulting Speaker of the House Andrew Stevenson during floor debate |
Chuck Edwards
September 1, 2026 · 413-2
Per H. Rept. 119-756, for having “violated the House Code of Official Conduct by failing to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers.”
Al Green
March 6, 2025 · 224-198, 2 present
Per the censure resolution, for conduct during a Joint Address by the President which “disrupted the proceedings of the joint address and was a breach of proper conduct.”
Jamaal Bowman
December 7, 2023 · 214-191, 5 present
Per the censure resolution, for having “forced the evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building and disrupted the work of the Congress as a vote was underway on the floor of the House.”
Rashida Tlaib
November 7, 2023 · 234-188, 4 present
Per the censure resolution, for “promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.”
Adam Schiff
June 21, 2023 · 213-209, 6 present
Per the censure resolution, for “misleading the American public and for conduct unbecoming of an elected Member of the House of Representatives.”
Paul Gosar
November 17, 2021 · 223-207, 1 present
Per the censure resolution, for having “posted a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden .”
Charles B. Rangel
December 2, 2010 · 333-79
Misuse of congressional letterhead for fundraising; impermissible use of rent-controlled facility for campaign headquarters; inaccurate financial reports and federal tax returns
Gerry E. Studds
July 20, 1983 · 420-3, 2 present
Sexual misconduct with a House Page
Daniel B. Crane
July 20, 1983 · 421-3, 2 present
Sexual misconduct with a House Page
Charles H. Wilson
June 10, 1980 · By voice vote
Receiving improper gifts; improper use of congressional funds; improper personal use of campaign funds
Charles C. Diggs
July 31, 1979 · 414-0, 4 present
Convicted on 11 counts of mail fraud and 18 counts of false statements in a payroll fraud scandal
Thomas L. Blanton
October 27, 1921 · 293-0, 26 present
Unparliamentary language for inserting a document into the Congressional Record that contained indecent and obscene language
William D. Bynum
May 17, 1890 · 126-104
Unparliamentary language for insulting a Member during debate
John Y. Brown
February 4, 1875 · 161-79
Unparliamentary language for insulting a Member during debate
Oakes Ames
February 27, 1873 · 182-36
Sold $33 million worth of stock in the "Crédit Mobilier" scandal to Members of Congress and executive officials at an undervalued price to influence votes and decisions
James Brooks
February 27, 1873 · 174-32
Solicited and accepted 50 shares of "Crédit Mobilier" stock at undervalued prices
Roderick R. Butler
March 17, 1870 · 158-0
Sold a military academy appointment
John T. DeWeese
March 1, 1870 · 170-0
Sold a military academy appointment
Benjamin Whittemore
February 24, 1870 · 187-0
Sold multiple military academy appointments
Edward D. Holbrook
February 4, 1869 · No recorded vote
Unparliamentary language for stating in debate that another Member made false assertions
Fernando Wood
January 15, 1868 · 114-39
Unparliamentary language for describing Reconstruction legislation as a "monstrosity"
John W. Hunter
January 26, 1867 · 77-33
Unparliamentary language for insulting a Member during debate
Lovell H. Rousseau
July 17, 1866 · 89-30
Assaulting Representative Josiah Grinnell of Iowa with a cane
John W. Chanler
May 14, 1866 · 72-30
Insulting the House by introducing resolution containing unparliamentary language
Alexander Long
April 14, 1864 · 80-70
Supporting the recognition of the Confederacy in a floor speech
Benjamin G. Harris
April 9, 1864 · 98-20
Encouraged Confederacy in House debate to expel Representative Alexander Long
Laurence M. Keitt
July 16, 1856 · 106-96
Assisting in assault on Senator Charles Sumner
Joshua R. Giddings
March 22, 1842 · 125-69
"Unwarranted and unwarrantable" conduct for presenting a series of anti-slavery resolutions violating the House gag rule
William Stanbery
July 11, 1832 · 93-44
Insulting Speaker of the House Andrew Stevenson during floor debate
House reprimands (11)
| Member | Cause |
|---|---|
| David SchweikertJuly 31, 2020 · By voice vote | Campaign finance violations and reporting errors by authorized campaign committees; misuse of Members’ Representational Allowance for unofficial purposes; pressuring official staff to perform campaign work |
| Laura RichardsonAugust 2, 2012 · Unanimous consent | Compelling official congressional staff to work on her political campaign |
| Addison Graves (Joe) WilsonSeptember 15, 2009 · 240-179, 5 present | Interrupting President's remarks before a Joint Session which was a "breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings" of the Joint Session. |
| Newt GingrichJanuary 21, 1997 · 395-28, 5 present | Allowing a Member-affiliated tax-exempt organization to be used for political purposes; providing inaccurate and unreliable information to Ethics Committee |
| Barney FrankJuly 26, 1990 · 408-18, 4 present | Using political influence to fix parking tickets and influence probation officers for personal friend |
| Austin J. MurphyDecember 18, 1987 · 324-68, 20 present | "Ghost voting" in which Murphy had another person vote on his behalf; improper use of official resources |
| George V. HansenJuly 31, 1984 · 354-52, 6 present | For conviction of four counts of making false statements related to financial disclosure form |
| Charles H. WilsonOctober 13, 1978 · 329-41, 29 present | False statement before Ethics Committee investigating the influence of a foreign government |
| John J. McFallOctober 13, 1978 · By voice vote | Failure to report campaign contributions from a foreign lobbyist |
| Edward J. RoybalOctober 13, 1978 · By voice vote | Failure to report campaign contributions; converted campaign funds to personal use |
| Robert L. F. SikesJuly 29, 1976 · 381-3, 5 present | Improper financial disclosure and conflict of interest |
David Schweikert
July 31, 2020 · By voice vote
Campaign finance violations and reporting errors by authorized campaign committees; misuse of Members’ Representational Allowance for unofficial purposes; pressuring official staff to perform campaign work
Laura Richardson
August 2, 2012 · Unanimous consent
Compelling official congressional staff to work on her political campaign
Addison Graves (Joe) Wilson
September 15, 2009 · 240-179, 5 present
Interrupting President's remarks before a Joint Session which was a "breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings" of the Joint Session.
Newt Gingrich
January 21, 1997 · 395-28, 5 present
Allowing a Member-affiliated tax-exempt organization to be used for political purposes; providing inaccurate and unreliable information to Ethics Committee
Barney Frank
July 26, 1990 · 408-18, 4 present
Using political influence to fix parking tickets and influence probation officers for personal friend
Austin J. Murphy
December 18, 1987 · 324-68, 20 present
"Ghost voting" in which Murphy had another person vote on his behalf; improper use of official resources
George V. Hansen
July 31, 1984 · 354-52, 6 present
For conviction of four counts of making false statements related to financial disclosure form
Charles H. Wilson
October 13, 1978 · 329-41, 29 present
False statement before Ethics Committee investigating the influence of a foreign government
John J. McFall
October 13, 1978 · By voice vote
Failure to report campaign contributions from a foreign lobbyist
Edward J. Roybal
October 13, 1978 · By voice vote
Failure to report campaign contributions; converted campaign funds to personal use
Robert L. F. Sikes
July 29, 1976 · 381-3, 5 present
Improper financial disclosure and conflict of interest
Current members with a censure or reprimand on record
- Paul Gosar — House censure, November 17, 2021 (H. Res. 789 (117th Cong.))
- Adam Schiff — House censure, June 21, 2023 (H. Res. 521 (118th Cong.))
- Rashida Tlaib — House censure, November 7, 2023 (H. Res. 845 (118th Cong.))
- Al Green — House censure, March 6, 2025 (H. Res. 189 (119th Cong.))
- Chuck Edwards — House censure, September 1, 2026 (H. Res. 1498 (119th Cong.))
- Addison Graves (Joe) Wilson — House reprimand, September 15, 2009 (H. Res. 744 (111th Cong.))
- David Schweikert — House reprimand, July 31, 2020 (H. Res. 1074 (116th Cong.))
A censure or reprimand does not affect a member’s seat, vote or eligibility to run again; several of these members were later re-elected, and one now sits in the Senate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many members of Congress have been expelled?
21: 6 from the House and 15 from the Senate. 14 of the senators and 3 of the House members were expelled in 1861–62 for supporting the Confederacy. Since 1900 only 3 members have been expelled, all from the House: Michael J. Myers (1980), James A. Traficant (2002), George Santos (2023).
What does it take to expel a member of Congress?
A two-thirds vote of the member’s own chamber, under Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution. The House counts two-thirds of those present and voting. Neither chamber can expel a member of the other.
What is the difference between censure and expulsion?
Expulsion removes the member from Congress and needs a two-thirds vote. Censure is a formal statement of disapproval passed by simple majority; the member keeps their seat, vote and rights. In the House, a censured member stands in the well while the resolution is read aloud.
How many members of Congress have been censured?
29 House members and 9 senators. The most recent House censure was Chuck Edwards, on September 1, 2026; the most recent in the Senate was David F. Durenberger, in 1990.
Has a senator been expelled recently?
No. The Senate has not expelled anyone since 1862. Its later cases ended otherwise — most recently Bob Packwood (1995) and Harrison Williams (1982) resigned before the Senate voted.
Sources: House Office of the Historian; Senate Historical Office on expulsion and censure. Cause and charge text is the historians’ own.
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