Skip to main content
Politics

What does it mean to censure a politician?


When it comes to political reprimands, there are several options, including expulsion, a vote of no-confidence, or a censure. Of those three, the censure is the least aggressive. It’s also the most common option, but even so, it isn’t utilized that frequently.

A censure is a formal reprimand, but it has very few lasting impacts. Censures are seen most often with state legislatures, political parties, and Congress.

If a person is censured by a government entity, the punishment is symbolic and has no lasting tangible implications. However, being censured by a political party can have more lasting impacts because it could mean the party will no longer financially support the censured party.

Recently, the Republican National Committee censured Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinginzer (R-IL), saying they weren’t supporting the RNC’s beliefs. In its censure resolution, the RNC stated it would no longer support the pair as members.

 TAKE SOT- Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI)

<<”I rise in strong support of this censure resolution.”>>

TAKE SOT- Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC)

<<”The GOP and the RNC decided to censure them.”>>

TAKE SOT- Chuck Todd

<<”I think a censure there would hurt her.”>>

Annie Andersen: IT’S THE POLITICAL VERSION OF YOUR PARENTS saying ‘I’M NOT ANGRY.. JUST DISAPPOINTED.”

WHAT IS CENSURE AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

FOR THAT… IT’S TIME TO OPEN OUR D-C DICTIONARY. 

A CENSURE IS a formal disapproval… but really it’s JUST A POLITICAL PUBLIC SHAMING. 

IT’S A WAY POLITICIANS LET EACH OTHER KNOW THEY’RE IN THE DOG HOUSE.

IT’S NOT BINDING… AND IT’S LESS SEVERE THAN A MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE OR AN EXPULSION

IT’S GENERALLY USED BY POLITICAL PARTIES… STATE LEGISLATURES.. AND CONGRESS. 

A CENSURE ONLY NEEDS A SIMPLE MAJORITY… BUT EVEN STILL THEY DON’T HAPPEN THAT OFTEN. 

Since 1789 the Senate has censured nine of its members, 

AND ONE PRESIDENT.. ANDREW JACKSON. 

IN THE HOUSE- 25… TWO THIS CENTURY

DEMOCRAT CHARLIE RANGEL FOR ETHICS VIOLATIONS

TAKE SOT- ZOE LOFGREN (D-CA) ON RANGEL CENSURE

<<”We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard…“Mr. Rangel himself has acknowledged that.”

Annie Andersen: AND REPUBLICAN PAUL GOSAR FOR CREATING  A VIOLENT VIDEO.

TAKE SOT- REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL) 

<<”i don’t care if it’s a republican or a democrat we cannot in this country wolf get to a point where using anime even which is creepy in and of itself but using anime or regular videos or deep fakes or even just tweeted threats against the sitting member of congress can be acceptable.”>>

Annie Andersen: THE PUNISHMENT FOR A CONGRESSIONAL CENSURE?

TAKE SOT- PELOSI (ON RANGEL CENSURE)

<<“Will the gentleman from New York, Mr. Rangel, kindly appear in the well?”>>

Annie Andersen: ONCE IN THE WELL… THE PUBLIC SHAMING BEGINS. 

TAKE SOT- PELOSI (ON RANGEL CENSURE)

<<“Rep. Charles B. Rangel be censured by the public reading of this resolution by the speaker, and that Rep. Rangel pay restitution to the appropriate taxing authorities OF THE US TREASURY for any unpaid taxes OUTLINED IN EXHIBIT 066 ON INCOME on income received from his property in the Dominican Republic and provide proof of payment to the committee.

Annie Andersen: BUT WHEN THAT’S OVER.. IT’S OVER. A CENSURE DOESN’T HAVE ANY LASTING TANGIBLE IMPLICATIONS. 

A PARTY CENSURE… THAT’S A WHOLE OTHER THING.

IN RECENT YEARS, POLITICAL PARTIES CENSURED MEMBERS BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T LIKE A VOTE… OR WHAT THE PERSON WAS SAYING. 

IN 2013… THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN PARTY CENSURED SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN BECAUSE SOMETIMES HE VOTED WITH DEMOCRATS. 

8 YEARS LATER… THEY CENSURED HIS WIFE, CINDY.

Take sot- Cindy McCain, censured by Arizona GOP

<<”We are here for our country, not our party.”>>

Annie Andersen: STATE REPUBLICAN PARTIES ALSO CENSURED THEIR SENATORS FOR VOTING IN FAVOR OF IMPEACHING PRESIDENT TRUMP..

TAKE SOT- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

<<”i took an oath to support and defend the constitution. i take that seriously.”>>

Annie Andersen ARIZONA DEMOCRATS CENSURED SINEMA BECAUSE OF HER VOTE ON VOTING RIGHTS. 

TAKE SOT- SEN. SINEMA (R-AZ)

<<”I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division infecting our country.”>>

Annie Andersen: AND IN 2022- THE RNC CENSURED REPUBLICANS ADAM KINZINGER AND LIZ CHENEY… SAYING THEY WEREN’T TOWING THE PARTY LINE… 

THESE CENSURES ARE SYMBOLIC… BUT THEY CAN ALSO HURT POLITICIANS WHERE IT COUNTS.. IN THEIR POCKETBOOKS AND WITH VOTERS. 

IN THE CASE OF CHENEY AND KINZINGER- THE R-N-C SAID IT WOULD STOP SUPPORTING THEM AS MEMBERS OF THE PARTY. 

AND THAT’S A CENSURE. 

NOW THAT YOU HAVE THAT ONE DOWN.. WHAT’S ANOTHER WORD YOU WANT BROKEN DOWN IN OUR DC DICTIONARY?

LET ME KNOW.