House votes 413–2 to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards over sexual harassment findings
The U.S. House of Representatives on September 1, 2026 voted to censure Representative Chuck Edwards, a Republican from North Carolina, following an Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct toward two young women on his staff. The House passed the resolution, H. Res. 1498, by a vote of 413 to 2. The two votes against came from Edwards himself and Representative Ralph Norman, a fellow Republican; Edwards had urged his colleagues on the floor to vote “no,” arguing that “censure should require more than inference.”
Censure is one of the most serious punishments the House can impose on a member, short of expulsion. The resolution directed that the House adopt the Committee on Ethics report dated July 22, 2026; that Edwards be censured; that he present himself in the well of the House for the pronouncement of the censure; and that the censure be delivered through a public reading of the resolution by the Speaker. After the vote, the Speaker called Edwards to the well of the House and read the resolution’s terms aloud.
The censure followed a report from the House Committee on Ethics. The committee said it reviewed allegations that Edwards may have created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment in violation of House rules, and found that he 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. The committee said Edwards engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers, including providing them with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments about their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, and sending notes about his affection. The committee said it found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with or explicitly propositioned anyone under his employ. According to the report, the committee conducted 16 witness interviews, including of Edwards, and reviewed nearly 1,500 pages of documentary evidence.
Edwards has disputed the findings. The committee said Edwards denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance. On the floor, Edwards said, “I am imperfect. I have made mistakes, but I do not believe I committed sexual harassment,” and told colleagues the factual findings did not justify the punishment. Edwards cooperated with the investigation and agreed to waive the procedures otherwise required for the committee to recommend a floor sanction.
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