House censures Chuck Edwards over "sexual harassment" of staff
Summary
The House of Representatives censured Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) for sexual harassment of two young female staffers after an Ethics Committee investigation. The decision was supported by most members of both parties, and Edwards has apologized but denies the conduct was meant to be sexual harassment.Key Facts
- The House voted to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards for inappropriate behavior toward two female staffers in their 20s.
- The Ethics Committee found Edwards failed to follow rules against sexual harassment and unwanted advances.
- The censure vote had strong bipartisan support, with almost all Republicans and all Democrats voting for it.
- Edwards has dropped his reelection campaign and issued a public apology, but denied admitting to sexual harassment.
- Examples of misconduct included gifts, handwritten letters, a poem, invitations to comedy shows, and trips that made the staffers uncomfortable.
- One staffer said she felt pressured by Edwards’ persistence, including during a vacation in Las Vegas amid a government shutdown.
- This censure is one of the most serious punishments by the House and the first since 2010.
- House leaders, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Ethics Chairman Michael Guest, supported the Ethics Committee’s findings and the censure.
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