As the calendar turns to September, the House GOP faces a seismic problem that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has tried to avoid all summer.
On Tuesday, the House is expected to vote on a resolution to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC), who has been accused of sexual misconduct, an issue that has plagued Congress, according to a new report by Axios. That puts Johnson in a tough position where his colleagues may risk further damaging their chances of retaining the majority following the 2026 midterms.
A House Republican who spoke with Axios seemed resolute in the effort to censure Edwards.
"Sexual harassment is sexual harassment and deserves to be disciplined accordingly," the Republican said. "While most of us are actually fighting for the American people, he was busy creeping on his staff."
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) seemed less convinced that the resolution should pass.
"We've got several members that are messing around, obviously, and people know it," Burchett told Axios. "And I just don't see Congress being the moral barometer for anything really right now."
The vote also comes at a delicate time for Congress, according to the report. Democratic and Republican women's caucuses are expected to unveil their legislative package to address sexual misconduct on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks.
Axios noted that proposed reforms include "changes to reporting systems, retaliation protections, increases in education and training resources, and a ban on lawmaker-staff relations."