House Members Push to Reform Censure Process Amid Concerns

House members from both parties are expressing frustration over what they perceive as an excessive and partisan use of censure, prompting calls for reform. Some legislators are advocating to raise the threshold required for censure votes, aiming to restore the process’s integrity.

The issue has garnered attention following a recent House vote to refer a measure to censure Representative Cory Mills (R-Fla.) to the House Ethics Committee. This resolution, initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), addresses allegations against Mills, including domestic abuse, stolen valor, and financial misconduct, all of which he denies. The vote saw support from both sides, with 204 Republicans and 106 Democrats backing the referral.

Calls for Reform

Currently, the House requires only a simple majority to censure a member, and any representative can initiate a vote. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) is actively gathering support to change this, proposing that the threshold be raised to 60 percent. Beyer remarked, “I’ve been circulating legislation… to move it to 60%,” explaining that he believes censure has become a tool used for partisan purposes. Some colleagues are even advocating for a two-thirds majority, which is the threshold for expelling a member of Congress.

The sentiment for reform is growing. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed openness to discussing a higher threshold, emphasizing the need for censure to remain an exceptional measure reserved for serious cases. “We don’t want this to become commonplace,” he stated.

Recent Developments and Challenges

This week, the House has seen multiple censure resolutions, including one targeting Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands) for her past communications with Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing in 2019. Additionally, Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) announced plans to force a vote on censuring Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), who was recently indicted for alleged financial misconduct involving $5 million in FEMA overpayments.

Lawmakers’ reactions vary, with some expressing support for Beyer’s proposed reforms. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) described the frequency of censure votes as “not healthy,” while Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) called the reform a “smart” idea, reflecting a broader consensus that the current system is being abused.

Conversely, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who previously initiated a censure vote against former Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), defended the necessity of censure in certain cases. She acknowledged that while some censure actions may seem trivial, others are warranted.

Over the past five years, five House members have faced censure, all of whom were from the minority party at the time. Notable figures include Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) in 2021 and Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) earlier this year. This trend highlights a growing concern among House members regarding the politicization of censure.

Reflecting on the situation, Speaker Johnson remarked, “I would like us to get back to normal Congress.” With ongoing discussions about censure reform, the House may be heading toward significant changes that could redefine how members hold each other accountable.