This past year in the lower chamber has been one for the historical record. Legislators broke records for the most extended oration and the lengthiest voting session, and managed the most extended federal funding lapse.
They also spent significant time trying to discipline colleagues through formal condemnation measures, the House's primary tool for disciplinary action. A review of congressional records indicates no fewer than 17 efforts since the start of the year to formally disapprove of a member via a formal condemnation or a less formal statement of disapproval.
Should a reprimand motion is adopted by a most members, the targeted lawmaker must stand before the speaker's podium as the chair announces to them that they face formal condemnation for their misconduct. Those are the extent of the practical repercussions – they maintain their congressional office and their right to vote, but likely harming their reputation.
While nearly all of these gained approval, the flurry grew so severe that by the conclusion of the session, a bipartisan group proposed changing the rules to create a higher bar for condemnation motions to pass. “How about we halt the circular firing squad in the House?” questioned one of the proposal's backers.
What follows is a review at the supposed transgressions at the heart of the censure spree:
Calling a Person a ‘Derogatory Term’
The earliest condemnation effort of the year occurred during February targeting a Democratic lawmaker. The measure charged the member of “inciting violence against a designated official”. It pointed to an instance during a congressional hearing where the lawmaker made a derogatory comment about the person in a somewhat indirect way, as well as a later statement about using “physical force” to a partisan battle. The full body never voting on it.
Yelling at the President
During an address to a meeting of Congress, a member of the opposition congressman interrupted the nation's leader, exclaiming “he has no mandate” while raising a walking cane in the air. The presiding officer directed that the congressperson escorted out. In the aftermath, several censures were filed against the disruptor. Two days later, the House passed one of these motions, with a number of members of the representative's party supporting it alongside the other side. This remains the single reprimand to actually win approval during the year.
Resorting to Ethnic Tropes
Just days after the aforementioned condemnation, a motion was filed aiming at a representative for remarks made about the individual who was reprimanded. The resolution charged the official of using language that was “insulting, demeaning, and bigoted toward another member of Congress”. This proposal did not receive a full chamber vote.
Disparaging a Official's Mobility Aid
A further reprimand effort focused on alleged disrespectful remarks made by a representative about a chief executive who has been paralyzed. The comments were viewed as highly offensive and resulted in a formal condemnation that also was not brought to a full chamber decision.
Altercation with Immigration Authorities
Several condemnation motions were introduced against a congresswoman after she was taken into custody and indicted following an incident outside a government holding center. One of these measures was brought up in the chamber, but was defeated thanks to a alliance of lawmakers from the other side and a small group of members from the resolution's party of origin. This marked the initial instance among many instances where representatives voted across the aisle to block a reprimand motion.
Charges of Discrimination
A congressman was the focus of separate reprimand efforts over the warmer months for offensive statements made about public figures of color. The statements included derogatory nicknames and calls for expulsion. Not one of these proposals was considered by the full House.
Criticizing a Late Activist Character
In the wake of a controversial figure's death, a censure resolution was proposed against a lawmaker for remarks that were considered “disparaging” toward the activist and those grieving for him. Yet again, the motion was blocked with the votes of a handful of lawmakers from the sponsor's own party. One of those who blocked the censure commented that the proper response to “offensive language” is not silencing, but “further debate”.
‘Subverting the System of a Open Election’
The flurry of reprimands reached a high point late in the year when, in the middle of a crucial legislative action, a representative went to the House floor to accuse that a fellow Democrat had arranged to step down in a manner to ensure a specific successor would be elected to replace him. The resolution registered dissent of this action for “harming the integrity of a free and fair election”. This measure provoked anger but was voted into effect, with votes from the majority of the minority party and a significant number of members from the complainant's political affiliation.
Exchanging Messages with a Convicted Sex Offender
As congressional action to compel the release of sealed records related to deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein was approaching a vote, it was revealed that a congresswoman had texted with Epstein in the midst of a 2019 hearing. Seizing the moment, opposition party lawmakers filed a reprimand motion against the delegate. This measure was defeated thanks to a unified front from the delegate's political allies and the votes of a handful of members from the party that introduced it.
A Myriad of Supposed Wrongdoings
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