List of United States senators expelled or censured


The United States Constitution gives the Senate the power to expel any member by a two-thirds vote. This is distinct from the power over impeachment trials and convictions that the Senate has over executive and judicial federal officials. The Senate concluded in 1798 that senators could not be impeached, but only expelled, while conducting the impeachment trial of William Blount, who had already been expelled.
Expulsion has not occurred since the Civil War. Censure, a lesser punishment which represents a formal statement of disapproval, has been more common in the 19th century. Although censure carries no formal punishment, only one senator of the nine to be censured has ever been re-elected. Unlike the House of Representatives, which also disciplines by reprimand, a censure is the weakest form of discipline the Senate issues.

Expelled senators

Expulsion proceedings not resulting in expulsion

Many expulsion proceedings have been begun by the Senate that did not lead to expulsion. In most cases, the expulsion failed to secure the necessary two-thirds vote, in other cases the senator in question resigned while proceedings were taking place, and some proceedings ended when a senator died or his term expired.
YearSenatorPartyStateResultDetails
1808John SmithDemocratic-RepublicanOhioNot expelledAssisted Aaron Burr's western expedition; resigned two weeks after expulsion failed
1856Henry Mower RiceDemocraticMinnesotaNot expelledCharged with corruption
1862Lazarus W. PowellDemocraticKentuckyNot expelledAccused of supporting the Confederate rebellion
1862James F. SimmonsRepublicanRhode IslandResignedCharged with corruption
1873James W. PattersonRepublicanNew HampshireTerm expiredCharged with corruption
1893William N. RoachDemocraticNorth DakotaNot expelledCharged with embezzlement; Senate determined that charges were too far in the past
1905John H. MitchellRepublicanOregonDied during proceedingsCharged with corruption
1906Joseph R. BurtonRepublicanKansasResignedConvicted for receiving compensation for intervening with a federal agency
1907Reed SmootRepublicanUtahNot expelledSenate committee asserted that Smoot, as a Mormon, belonged to a religion incompatible with US law; Senate found 43-27 that this was not relevant
1919Robert M. La Follette, Sr.RepublicanWisconsinNot expelledCharged with disloyalty for a speech opposing entry into World War I; Senate found 50-21 that this was not warranted
1922Truman Handy NewberryRepublicanMichiganResignedConvicted of election fraud for excessive spending in a primary election
1924Burton K. WheelerDemocraticMontanaNot expelledIndicted for conflict of interest after serving in legal cases to which the United States was a party; exonerated by Senate 56-5
1934John H. OvertonDemocraticLouisianaNot expelledBoth investigated for electoral fraud
1934Huey LongDemocraticLouisianaNot expelledBoth investigated for electoral fraud
1942William LangerRepublicanNorth DakotaNot expelledCharged with corruption and moral turpitude while Governor of North Dakota; full senate voted against expulsion 52-30
1982Harrison A. WilliamsDemocraticNew JerseyResignedConvicted of bribery and conspiracy in the Abscam scandal; resigned before a vote by the full Senate
1995Bob PackwoodRepublicanOregonResignedCharged with sexual misconduct and abuse of power; resigned before Senate vote
2011John EnsignRepublicanNevadaResignedCharged with financial improprieties stemming from an extramarital affair; resigned before Senate vote

Censured senators

YearSenatorPartyStateReason
1811Timothy PickeringFederalistMassachusettsReading confidential documents in open Senate session before an injunction of secrecy was removed.
1844Benjamin TappanDemocraticOhioReleased to the New York Evening Post a copy of President John Tyler's message to the Senate regarding the treaty of annexation between the United States and the Republic of Texas.
1902Benjamin R. TillmanDemocraticSouth CarolinaFighting on the Senate floor with John L. McLaurin.
1902John L. McLaurinDemocraticSouth CarolinaFighting on the Senate floor with Benjamin R. Tillman.
1929Hiram BinghamRepublicanConnecticutEmploying as a Senate staff member Charles Eyanson, who was simultaneously employed by the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut.
1954Joseph McCarthyRepublicanWisconsinRefusal to cooperate with and verbal abuse of the Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections during a 1952 investigation of his conduct, and verbal abuse of the Select Committee to Study Censure.
1967Thomas J. DoddDemocraticConnecticutUse of his office to convert campaign funds to his personal benefit, and conduct unbecoming a senator.
1979Herman TalmadgeDemocraticGeorgiaImproper financial conduct, accepting reimbursements for official expenses not incurred, and improper reporting of campaign receipts and expenditures. Talmadge was technically "denounced," rather than censured.
1990David DurenbergerRepublicanMinnesotaUnethical conduct relating to reimbursement of Senate expenses and acceptance of outside payments and gifts.