The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., following an investigation by the House Ethics Committee that concluded the congressman engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers.
A censure represents the House’s formal disapproval of a lawmaker’s behavior that does not rise to the level requiring expulsion from office. The vote on Edwards was 413-2.
According to House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest, the case did not involve "quid pro quo sexual harassment" but rather conduct that created a hostile work environment. Guest stated that while Edwards denied his conduct was intended to be sexual or romantic, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable person to interpret it as such.
The committee found that Edwards provided the aides with gifts, made comments about their appearance, sent notes regarding his affection, and invited them to intimate dinners and vacations. The report also indicated that Edwards was aware of the women's discomfort with his actions.
Edwards, who is serving his second term representing a district in western North Carolina, has apologized to the two women, who are no longer on his staff, for actions that caused them discomfort. He stated his intentions were "only grounded in what I understood our friendship to be" and expressed admiration for the aides. He also apologized to his wife and family.
However, Edwards forcefully rejected the committee's more serious conclusions and the recommendation for censure. He emphasized that the investigative report did not find evidence of sexual activity or explicit propositions. "I am imperfect. I have made mistakes, but I do not believe I committed sexual harassment," Edwards said on the House floor. "The factual findings of this investigation do not justify branding me as though I did."
Edwards announced he would not seek reelection after the committee issued its report.
This instance is the latest in a series of House members facing scrutiny for behavior toward female staffers. Earlier this year, Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales faced calls for their expulsion before stepping down. Last month, the Ethics Committee announced it was reviewing allegations against Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., concerning alleged inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer. Gomez stated he would cooperate with the investigation, asserting his actions were consensual and did not violate House rules or the law.
House rules prohibit members from engaging in sexual harassment or making unwanted advances toward subordinates. The Ethics Committee noted that even without an explicit proposition, Edwards' "intimate and effusive attentions, where he prioritized the personal over the professional, as thinly veiled advances."
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, the committee's ranking Democratic member, detailed that the investigation spanned over four months, included interviews with 16 individuals, and reviewed nearly 1,500 pages of documents. He characterized Edwards' actions, which included providing jewelry, designer items, and flowers, commenting on appearance, sending personal letters, and decorating a staffer's Christmas tree, as "not innocuous, isolated instances" but "part of a sustained, unprofessional and inappropriate conduct."
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., described Edwards' behavior as "outlandish and disturbing" and stated that "If we don’t take action today, there is no opportunity for these women to receive justice."