House censures North Carolina Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards

The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday evening to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards following allegations of sexual harassment.

The House vote was 413-2, with 207 Republicans and one independent voting alongside 205 Democrats to censure the North Carolina Republican, a formal punishment recommended by the House Ethics Committee following its investigation into whether Edwards created or fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment in violation of House Rules, laws or other standards of conduct.

During remarks earlier Tuesday as the House debated the censure resolution, Edwards acknowledged he is "imperfect" and apologized to his wife Theresa -- but he contended that regret is "not an admission of sexual harassment."

"I did not violate harassment law," Edwards said, adding that the Ethics committee chose to ignore "evidence of a reciprocal friendship."

In a report last month, the House Ethics Committee said it found Edwards "engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers," including "providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his effusive affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together."

In the report, the committee said it found no evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity with or explicitly propositioned anyone under his employ.

Edwards is the 29th member of the lower chamber to be censured in the history of the U.S. Congress.

Just two Republicans voted against adopting the censure resolution: Edwards and Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson asked Edwards to present himself in the well of the chamber as the censure resolution was read aloud.

Edwards stood silently -- remaining in the well until Johnson left the rostrum, approached Edwards from behind and patted him on the back -- leading him up the aisle to the back of the chamber.

During debate on the resolution, Rep. Michael Guest, the chairman of the House Ethics Committee, argued that while the allegations in the matter did not implicate a quid pro quo for sexual favors, Edwards did show a "lack of judgment."

Last month Edwards dropped his reelection bid in his western North Carolina district against Democratic nominee Jamie Ager -- one of the few competitive races on North Carolina's map in 2026. State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom ultimately secured the Republican nomination and will appear on the ballot instead of Edwards.

On Tuesday, Edwards implored the House not to censure him -- asking lawmakers to judge him "on the facts" of the matter -- before apologizing that the way he expressed friendship was "misunderstood."

"A censure by this House holds its weight in history," Edwards said. "What will remain is the word censured, which will be attached to my name."

Nevertheless, the decision to censure Edwards was not a partisan exercise.

"I do this with no joy, but the ethics report -- I think it's pretty clear and convincing," Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told ABC News ahead of the vote Tuesday. "I like Chuck. I've worked with him. He's been a good guy on Main Street. But the sort of the rule of thumb around here: if the ethics committee comes back with findings that are clear, that we act on it."

Edwards joins three other current members of the House who have been censured: Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green, the last lawmaker to be censured, as well as Reps. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California was also censured by the House in 2023 before he was elected to the Senate.