Richardson Is Only the Latest House Member to Face Punishment

• 1864 – Rep. Alexander Long (Ohio): Supported recognition of the independence of the Confederacy in speech on the House floor (April 8, 1864); censured, 80-70 (April 14, 1864)
• 1864 – Rep. Benjamin G. Harris (Maryland): Encouraged the Confederacy during a House debate on a resolution to expel another member, (April 9, 1864); censured, 98-20 (April 9, 1864)
• 1866 – Rep. John W. Chanler (New York): “[A]ttempted a gross insult to the House” by proposing a resolution supporting a presidential veto (May 14, 1866); censured, 72-30 (May 14, 1866)
• 1866 – Rep. Lovell H. Rousseau (Kentucky): Assaulted Rep. Josiah Grinnell of Iowa with a cane outside the Capitol for alleged insult spoken in debate (June 14, 1866); censured, 89-30 (July 17, 1866); resigned (July 21, 1866), but reelected
• 1867 – Rep. John W. Hunter (New York): Insulted another member during debate (January 26, 1867); censured, 77-33 (January 26, 1867)
• 1868 – Rep. Fernando Wood (New York): Described Reconstruction legislation as a “monstrosity” (January 15, 1868); censured, 114-39 (January 15, 1868)
• 1869: Del. Edward D. Holbrook (Idaho): Stated in debate that another member made false assertions (February 4, 1869); censured (February 4, 1869)
• 1870 – Rep. Benjamin F. Whittemore (South Carolina): Sold appointments to military academies (1870); censured 187-0 (February 24, 1870); resigned prior to censure; reelected to the same session of the House; excluded from House after reelection, 130-76 (June 21, 1870)
• 1870 – Rep. John T. Deweese (North Carolina): Accepted money for recommending appointment to military academy (1870); censured,170-0 (March 1, 1870); resigned prior to censure (February 28, 1870)
• 1870 – Rep. Roderick R. Butler (Tennessee): Accepted money for recommending appointment to military academy (1870); censured, 150-0 (March 16, 1870)
• 1873 – Rep. Oakes Ames (Massachusetts): Sold $33 million in Credit Mobilier stock to members of Congress and executive branch officials at undervalued prices with the intent to influence votes and decisions (1868); censured; 182-36 (February 27, 1873)
• 1873 – Rep. James Brooks (New York): Solicited and accepted 50 shares of Credit Mobilier stock at undervalued price (1868); censured, 174-32 (February 27, 1873)
• 1875 – Rep. John Young Brown (Kentucky): Insulted a member in debate and lied to Speaker James Blaine (February 4, 1875); censured, 161-79 (February 4, 1875); a resolution rescinding a portion of the censure was unanimously agreed to after Blaine concluded that Brown “did not in any way intend to prevaricate or deceive the House” (May 2, 1876)
• 1921 – Rep. Thomas L. Blanton (Texas): Inserted a document into the Congressional Record containing indecent and obscene language (October 22, 1921); censured 293-0 (October 27, 1921); apologized (October 28, 1921)
• 1979 – Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr. (Michigan): Convicted of 11 counts of mail fraud and 18 counts of false statements (October 7, 1978); censured, 414-0 (July 31, 1979); reelected after conviction (November 7, 1978); resigned after losing criminal appeal (June 3, 1980)
• 1980 – Rep. Charles H. Wilson (California): Accepted money from a person with direct interest in legislation, maintained a person on payroll not performing duties commensurate with pay, and appropriated campaign funds for personal use; censured, voice vote (June 10, 1980); defeated in primary (June 3, 1980)
• 1983 – Rep. Gerry Studds (Massachusetts): Had a sexual relationship with 17-year-old male House page in 1973; House rejected reprimand recommendation, 289-136; censured, 421-3 (July 20, 1983)
• 2010 – Rep. Charlie Rangel (New York): Found guilty by the House Ethics Committee for 11 violations stemming from fundraising and financial disclosure issues.

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