what does it mean to censure a congressman

Censure a congressman means Congress has formally and publicly condemned that member’s conduct. It is a serious reprimand, but it does not remove the person from office or take away their voting rights.

What it does

A censure is basically a public statement of disapproval by the House or Senate. In the House, the censured member may be required to stand in the chamber while the resolution is read aloud.

What it does not do

• It does not force the member to resign.

• It does not expel them from Congress. Expulsion is a separate, much harsher punishment that requires a two-thirds vote, while censure can pass by a simple majority.

• It usually does not automatically end their seat, though it can bring major political embarrassment and sometimes committee consequences.

Simple example

If a congressman is censured, Congress is essentially saying: “We officially disapprove of what you did.” It is a formal slap on the wrist, not a removal from office.

TL;DR

Censure is Congress’s way of publicly rebuking a lawmaker for misconduct without kicking them out of office.