CONDUCT OR DISCIPLINE Ch. 12 § 16 Albert, of Oklahoma, promising to considering the matter is at lib- refrain from voting on the floor or erty to act on his sound discretion in committee and from partici- and vote according to the dictates pating in committee business of his own judgment and con- pending an appeal of his convic- science. tion.(6) The conduct for which censure may be imposed is not limited to acts relating to the Member’s offi- § 16. Censure; Reprimand cial duties. See In re Chapman (166 U.S. 661 [1897]). The com- In the House, the underlying mittee considering censure of Sen- concept governing the censure of a ator Joseph McCarthy stated (S. Member for misconduct is that of Rept. No. 2508, 83d Cong., p. 22): breach of the rights and privileges ‘‘It seems clear that if a Senator (7) of the House. As indicated in a should be guilty of reprehensible report of a select committee of the conduct unconnected with his offi- House,(8) the power of each House cial duties and position, but which to censure its Members ‘‘for dis- conduct brings the Senate into orderly behavior’’ is found in arti- disrepute, the Senate has the cle I section 5 clause 2 of the U.S. power to censure.’’ Constitution. It is discretionary in character, and upon a resolution During its history, through the for censure of a Member for mis- 94th Congress, the House of Rep- conduct each individual Member resentatives has censured 17 Members and one Delegate and 6. See Congressional Quarterly Weekly has reprimanded one Member in Report, July 8, 1972, p. 1167. the 94th Congress. All but one of See also 6 Cannon’s Precedents the instances of censure occurred §§ 402, 403, wherein a select com- during the 19th century, 13 Mem- mittee assumed that a Member in- dicted under federal law would take bers being censured between 1864 no part whatever in any of the busi- and 1875. The last censure in the ness of the House or its committees House was imposed in 1921. In until final disposition of the case was the Senate, there are four in- made. stances of censure, including the 7. 2 Hinds’ Precedents § 1644. censure of Senator Joseph McCar- 8. H. REPT. NO. 90–27, 90th Cong. 1st thy in 1954. Sess., Feb. 23, 1967, ‘‘In Re Adam Clayton Powell, Report of the Select Most cases of censure have in- Committee Pursuant to H. Res. 1,’’ volved the use of unparliamentary pp. 24–30. language, assaults upon a Mem- 1743 Ch. 12 § 16 DESCHLER’S PRECEDENTS ber or insults to the House by in- In 1873, during the 42d Con- troduction of offensive resolu- gress, a special investigating com- tions,(9) but in five cases in the mittee was appointed to inquire House and one in the Senate cen- into charges that Representatives sure was based on corrupt acts by Oakes Ames and James Brooks had been bribed in connection a Member, and in another Senate with the Credit Mobilier Co. and case censure was based upon non- the Union Pacific Railroad.(11) Al- cooperation with and abuse of Senate committees.(10) placed on the Senate payroll, and used as a consultant on a pending 9. See 2 Hinds’ Precedents §§ 1246– tariff bill, one Charles L. Eyanson, 1249, 1251, 1256, 1305, 1621, 1656; who was simultaneously in the em- 6 Cannon’s Precedents § 236. ploy of the Manufacturers Associa- 10. See 2 Hinds’ Precedents §§ 1239, tion of Connecticut. The Senate 1273, 1274, 1286; 6 Cannon’s Prece- adopted a resolution of censure pro- dents § 239; ‘‘Senate Election, Expul- viding that Senator Bingham’s con- sion and Censure Cases,’’ S. Doc. No. duct regarding Eyanson ‘‘while not 71, 87th Cong., pp. 125–27, 152–54. the result of corrupt motives on the In 1870, during the 41st Congress, part of the Senator from Con- the House censured John T. necticut, is contrary to good morals DeWeese, B. F. Whittemore, and and senatorial ethics and tends to Roderick R. Butler for the sale of ap- bring the Senate into dishonor and pointments to the U. S. Military and disrepute, and such conduct is here- Naval Academies. In Butler’s case, by condemned.’’ 6 Cannon’s Prece- the Member had appointed to the dents § 239. Military Academy a person not a 11. The committee reported that Rep- resident of his district and subse- resentative Oakes Ames ‘‘has been quently received a political contribu- guilty of selling to Members of Con- tion from the cadet’s father. Censure gress shares of stock in the Credit of DeWeese and Whittemore was Mobilier of America for prices much voted notwithstanding that each had below the true value of such stock, previously resigned. A resolution to with intent thereby to influence the expel Butler was defeated upon fail- votes and decisions of such Members ure to obtain a two-thirds vote, in matters to be brought before Con- whereupon a resolution of censure gress for action.’’ With regard to was voted in which the House Representative James Brooks, the ‘‘declare[d] its condemnation’’ of his committee found that he ‘‘did pro- conduct, which it characterized as cure the Credit Mobilier Co. to issue ‘‘an unauthorized and dangerous and deliver to Charles H. Neilson, practice’’ (2 Hinds’ Precedents for the use and benefit of said §§ 1239, 1273, 1274). Brooks, 50 shares of the stock of said In 1929 Senator Hiram Bingham company at a price much below its (Conn.) was censured for having real value, well knowing that the 1744 CONDUCT OR DISCIPLINE Ch. 12 § 16 though the committee rec- the electorate at the previous elec- ommended that both Members be tion and to the prior House, and expelled, the House adopted sub- the extent to which they directly stitute censure resolutions in involve the authority, integrity, which it ‘‘absolutely condemn[ed]’’ dignity, or reputation of the the conduct of Ames and Brooks House.(12) (2 Hinds’ Precedents § 1286). Censure, like other forms of dis- Although there has been a di- cipline except expulsion, is by a vergence of views concerning the majority of those voting, a quorum power of a House to expel a Mem- being present. (6 Cannon’s Prece- ber for acts committed during a dents § 236.) The House itself preceding Congress, the right of a must order the censure. The Speaker cannot, of his own au- House to censure a Member for thority, censure a Member.(13) such prior acts is supported by clear precedent in both Houses of A censure resolution may call for direct and immediate action by Congress—namely, the case of the House; (14) or it may rec- Ames and Brooks in the House of ommend that a committee be ap- Representatives and the case of pointed to investigate and report Senator McCarthy in the Senate. to the House.l5 A House select In Ames and Brooks the acts for committee may recommend cen- which censure was voted occurred sure of a Member along with more than five years prior to cen- other forms of punishment in re- sure and two congressional elec- sponse to a resolution to inves- tions had intervened. tigate and recommend as to the Thus, the broad power of the initial and final right to a seat.(16) House to censure Members ex- tends to acts occurring during a 12. H. REPT. No. 90–27, 90th Cong. 1st prior Congress. Whether such Sess., Feb. 23, 1967. See also § 8.4, supra. powers should be invoked in such 13. 2 Hinds’ Precedents §§ 1344, 1345; 6 circumstances is a matter com- Cannon’s Precedents § 237. mitted to the discretion and judg- 14. 2 Hinds’ Precedents §§ 1246–1251, ment of the House upon consider- 1254–1258; 6 Cannon’s Precedents ation of the nature of the prior §§ 236, 239. acts, whether they were known to 15. 2 Hinds’ Precedents §§ 1649–1651, 1655 1656. same was so issued and delivered 16. 113 CONG. REC. 4997, 90th Cong. 1st with intent to influence the votes Sess., Mar. 1, 1967; see 113 CONG. and decisions of said Brooks as a REC. 24, 26, 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Member of the House.’’ Jan. 10, 1967. 1745 Ch. 12 § 16 DESCHLER’S PRECEDENTS Floor debate on a resolution of House, whereas a reprimand is censure is under the hour rule.(17) administered to the Member The House has permitted the ‘‘standing in his place’’ (23) or Member to be heard in debate as merely by way of the adoption of a matter of course without per- a committee report. Thus in mission being asked or given,(18) 1976,(24) the House administered a or by unanimous consent.(19) And reprimand to Mr. Robert L. F. the Member controlling debate Sikes, of Florida, by adopting by a under the hour rule can yield time vote of 381 yeas to 3 nays a reso- to the Member being censured. In lution (H. Res. 1421) which pro- one instance, after a Member had vided that the House adopt the re- explained, the House reconsidered port of the Committee on Stand- its vote of censure and reversed ards of Official Conduct on the in- it.(20) In some situations where vestigation of a complaint against Members have apologized fol- Mr. Sikes. The Speaker adminis- lowing the initiation of censure tered no oral reprimand. The re- proceedings, the House has ac- port (1) declared that (a) failure of cepted the apology and terminated Mr. Sikes to report certain the proceedings.(21) stockholdngs as required by After the House has ordered House Rule XLIV was deserving censure, it is normally adminis- of a reprimand, and (b) that the tered by the Speaker to the Mem- investment by him in the stock of ber at the bar of the House.(22) a bank at a naval base in Florida The House has on occasion and activities in promoting its es- made a distinction between cen- tablishment was deserving of a sure and reprimand, the latter reprimand.