The U.S. House Committee on Ethics recommended censure for U.S. Republican Representative Chuck Edwards of North Carolina after a months-long investigation, citing his "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers."
The House Ethics Committee released a 25-page report detailing its findings.
The House Democratic Women's Caucus called on Edwards to resign after the committee concluded he violated House rules over sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The caucus argued that censure, the recommended punishment, is not sufficient.
A censure has no real consequences.
As part of the bipartisan sexual misconduct task force, the caucus leaders plan to introduce legislation creating tougher penalties for lawmakers found to have committed sexual misconduct, including stripping committee assignments or requiring an expulsion vote.
The caucus leaders said the censure "just means he has to stand on the floor of the House" while it is read, and argued that reciting a few words does not protect women from retaliation and sexual harassment.
The committee found Edwards violated House rules by failing to adhere to the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment and unwanted advances to staffers. His attorneys disputed the finding, saying the panel cleared him of sexual misconduct and that the censure recommendation was improper because it was based on vague conduct standards.
He should resign immediately.
The caucus leaders called the findings "a clear and outlandish pattern of sexual harassment," adding that the two staffers endured over two years of harassment and were driven from their jobs. They wrote, "Congress has a responsibility to protect the women that work here."
The report confirmed several incidents previously reported by Axios, including handwritten correspondence, personal gifts, drinking outings, and casino trips. Edwards did not immediately respond to Axios's request for comment.
The U.S. House is expected to vote on censuring Edwards after returning from the August recess. Republicans say the outcome is all but certain. U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) told Axios she will vote to censure Edwards, saying "Sexual harassment is completely unacceptable." A House GOP leadership aide told Axios they "don't see a path" where Edwards avoids censure.
