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The U.S. Constitution grants each chamber of Congress authority to discipline its own members.
Possible disciplinary actions include:
Formal warnings
Reprimands
Censure
Committee removal
Expulsion
Expulsion is the most severe option available.
Importantly, removing a House member requires a two-thirds vote of the House of Representatives.
This extremely high threshold exists because expulsion overturns the choice made by voters in that member’s district.
Historically, expulsions have been very rare.
A Brief History of Congressional Expulsions
Throughout American history, relatively few members of Congress have been expelled.
Many occurred during the Civil War after lawmakers supported the Confederacy.
More recent expulsions have generally involved criminal convictions or serious ethical misconduct.
Because of this history, constitutional scholars often describe expulsion as an extraordinary remedy rather than a routine political response.
The Dual Citizenship Proposal
Separate from the expulsion discussion is another proposal involving dual citizenship.
Some lawmakers have suggested legislation that would prohibit individuals holding citizenship in another country from serving in Congress.
Supporters argue this would strengthen public confidence by ensuring lawmakers owe exclusive allegiance to the United States.
Opponents argue that American citizens with dual nationality already swear an oath to support the Constitution and should not automatically be viewed as having divided loyalties.
The proposal has generated substantial constitutional debate.
Understanding Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship occurs when someone is legally recognized as a citizen of two countries at the same time.
This can happen through several circumstances, including:
Birth abroad
Birth to parents from different countries
Naturalization
Foreign nationality laws