Expulsion from the United States Congress

Expulsion from the United States Congress

Expulsion is the most serious disciplinary action that can be taken against a Member of Congress. Censure, a less severe form of disciplinary action, is an official sanction of a member. In the entire history of the U.S. Congress, 20 Members have been expelled.

About Expulsion from the United States Congress in brief

Summary Expulsion from the United States CongressExpulsion is the most serious disciplinary action that can be taken against a Member of Congress. Censure, a less severe form of disciplinary action, is an official sanction of a member. In the entire history of the U.S. Congress, 20 Members have been expelled: 15 from the Senate and 5 from the House of Representatives. The great majority of those expelled — 17 members — were removed from office for their support of the Confederacy in the immediate aftermath of secession.

There have been numerous other attempts to expel members of Congress, including: In many of those instances members under serious threat of expulsion resigned; There were other instances in which investigations were brought, but the defendants were exonerated, expulsion was rejected, insufficient evidence was found, or the member’s term expired.