The members of the U.S. House of Representatives can be punished by the House itself under Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which gives each chamber the power to punish its own members for disorderly behavior and, with a two‑thirds vote, to expel a member.

Quick Scoop

In plain terms, no court, president, or outside body decides discipline inside the chamber; each House of Congress is its own judge of how to handle misbehavior by its members. The House may act through its Ethics Committee (which investigates and recommends penalties) and then the full House votes on disciplinary measures such as censure, reprimand, fines, loss of seniority, or expulsion.

What the Constitution Says

  • Article I, Section 5, Clause 2: “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour , and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.”
  • This means the House of Representatives alone has the constitutional authority to discipline House members; the Senate does the same for senators, but they cannot punish each other across chambers.

How Punishment Works in Practice

  • The House Committee on Ethics can investigate alleged misconduct and recommend discipline.
  • The full House can then vote on:
    • Expulsion (requires a two‑thirds vote).
* Censure or reprimand (public formal condemnation).

* Lesser sanctions such as fines, loss of seniority, or loss of certain privileges.

Simple Answer (for civics/homework style)

If you’re answering this as a short civics question—“Who can punish members of the House for disorderly behavior?”—the correct answer is:

The House of Representatives itself has the power to punish its members for disorderly behavior under Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.