WASHINGTON – The House Ethics Committee on Monday urged the House to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., concluding that he repeatedly behaved in an unprofessional and inappropriate manner toward two young female staff members in his congressional office.
Censure is a formal expression of the House’s strong disapproval of a member’s conduct, reserved for misconduct that falls short of the standard for expulsion.
Edwards has denied that his actions were meant as sexual or romantic advances, but the committee said the conduct was such that it would “lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such.”
In its findings, the committee cited a series of incidents it deemed improper, including what it described as lavish and repeated gifts to the women, remarks about their appearance and clothing, invitations to intimate dinners and vacations, and notes expressing affection. Investigators said they found no evidence that Edwards explicitly propositioned anyone who worked for him or had sexual activity with them.
“Both women were uncomfortable with his behavior (which they attempted to communicate) but were put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss and a Member of Congress,” the Ethics Committee said in its report. “Representative Edwards was at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive of the impact his inappropriate conduct had on the careers and well-being of two women on his staff.”
House rules bar members from sexually harassing subordinates or making unwanted advances toward them. According to the committee, Edwards conceded that at least some of the conduct under review could be seen as inappropriate and cooperated with the investigation. Still, the panel said he has not acknowledged, or accepted responsibility for, the harm it said he caused.
Any censure would require a vote by the full House. Because lawmakers are in their home districts for nearly the rest of the month, such a vote could not happen for at least several weeks. Edwards’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the committee’s findings.
