A history of discipline in the House
By Aaron Bycoffe Nov 18 2010 11:29 a.m.According to the Congressional Research Service, 35 members have been censured, reprimanded or expelled in the history of the House of Representatives. Here's a breakdown, according to a 2005 report:
Censures
| Date | Member | Conduct |
|---|---|---|
| July 11, 1832 | William Stanbery (Ohio) | Insulting the Speaker of the House. |
| March 22, 1842 | Joshua R. Giddings (Ohio) | Resolution introduced by Member relating to delicate international negotiations deemed "incendiary." |
| July 15, 1856 | Lawrence M. Keitt (S.C.) | Assisting in assault on a Member. |
| April 9, 1864 | Benjamin G. Harris (Md.) | Treasonous conduct in opposing subjugation of the South. |
| April 14, 1864 | Alexander Long (Ohio) | Supporting recognition of the Confederacy. |
| May 14, 1866 | John W. Chanler (N.Y.) | Insulting the House by introduction of resolution containing unparliamentary language. |
| July 24, 1866 | Lovell H. Rousseau (Ky.) | Assault of another Member. |
| Jan. 26, 1867 | John W. Hunter (N.Y.) | Unparliamentary language. |
| Jan. 15, 1868 | Fernando Wood (N.Y.) | Unparliamentary language. |
| Feb. 14, 1869 | Edward D. Holbrook (Idaho) | Unparliamentary language. |
| Feb. 24, 1870 | Benjamin Whittemore (S.C.) | Selling military academy appointments (Member had resigned before expulsion, and was "condemned" by House). |
| March 1, 1870 | John T. DeWeese (S.C.) | Selling military academy appointments (Member had resigned before expulsion, and was "condemned" by House). |
| March 16, 1870 | Roderick R. Butler (Tenn.) | Accepting money for "political purposes" in return for Academy appointment. |
| Feb. 27, 1873 | Oakes Ames (Mass.) | Bribery in "Credit Mobilier" case. (Conduct prior to election to House.) |
| Feb. 27, 1873 | James Brooks (N.Y.) | Bribery in "Credit Mobilier" case. (Conduct prior to election to House.) |
| Feb. 4, 1875 | John Y. Brown (Ky.) | Unparliamentary language. |
| May 17, 1890 | William D. Bynum (Ind.) | Unparliamentary language. |
| Oct. 27, 1921 | Thomas L. Blanton (Tex.) | Unparliamentary language. |
| July 31, 1979 | Charles C. Diggs (Mich.) | Payroll fraud, 18 U.S.C. ß1001 conviction. |
| June 6, 1980 | Charles H. Wilson (Cal.) | Receipt of improper gifts; "ghost" employees; improper personal use of campaign funds. |
| July 20, 1983 | Gerry E. Studds (Mass.) | Sexual misconduct with House page. |
| July 20, 1983 | Daniel B. Crane (Ill.) | Sexual misconduct with House page. |
Reprimands
| Date | Member | Conduct |
|---|---|---|
| July 29, 1976 | Robert L.F. Sykes (Fla.) | Use of office for personal gain; failure to disclose interest in legislation. |
| Oct. 13, 1978 | Charles H. Wilson (Cal.) | False statement before Standards of Official Conduct Committee investigating Korean influence matter. |
| October 13, 1978 | John J. McFall (Cal.) | Failure to report campaign contributions from Korean lobbyist. |
| October 13, 1978 | Edward J. Roybal (Cal.) | Failure to report campaign contributions; false sworn statement before Standards of Official Conduct Committee investigating Korean influence matter. |
| July 31, 1984 | George V. Hansen (Idaho) | False statements on financial disclosure form; conviction under 18 U.S.C. ß1001 for such false statements. |
| Dec. 18, 1987 | Austin J. Murphy (Pa.) | Ghost voting (allowing another person to cast his vote); maintaining on his payroll persons not performing official duties commensurate with pay. |
| July 26, 1990 | Barney Frank (Mass.) | Using political influence to fix parking tickets, and to influence probation officers for personal friend. |
| January 21, 1997 | Newt Gingrich (Ga.) | Allowing a Member-affiliated tax-exempt organization to be used for political purposes; providing inaccurate, and unreliable information to the ethics committee. |
Expulsions
| Date | Member | Conduct |
|---|---|---|
| July 13, 1861 | John B. Clark (Mo.) | Disloyalty to the Union - taking up arms against the United States. |
| December 2, 1861 | John W. Reid (Mo.) | Disloyalty to the Union - taking up arms against the United States. |
| December 3, 1861 | Henry C. Burnett (Ky.) | Disloyalty to the Union - taking up arms against the United States. |
| October 2, 1980 | Michael J. Myers (Pa.) | Bribery conviction for accepting money in return for promise to use influence in immigration matters. |
| July 24, 2002 | James A. Traficant (Ohio) | Conviction of conspiracy to commit bribery and to defraud U.S., receipt of illegal gratuities, obstruction of justice, filing false tax returns and racketeering, in connection with receipt of favors and money in return for official acts, and receipt of salary kickbacks from staff. |
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