Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.es439 - Providing for the expulsion of Representative LaMonica McIver from the United States House of Representatives. (119th Congress)

Summary

H.Res.439 proposes the expulsion of Representative LaMonica McIver from the House of Representatives. The resolution cites McIver's alleged assault on federal law enforcement officers at an immigration detention facility. It argues that her conduct violates House rules and federal law, undermining the credibility of the House.

Expected Effects

If passed, Representative McIver would be removed from her position in the House. This would create a vacancy in her district, requiring a special election to fill the seat. The resolution also sets a precedent for expelling members based on alleged criminal conduct, even without a conviction.

Potential Benefits

  • Upholding ethical standards for elected officials.
  • Reinforcing the principle that members of Congress are not above the law.
  • Maintaining public trust in the integrity of the House of Representatives.
  • Sending a message that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated.
  • Potentially deterring future misconduct by members of Congress.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potentially disenfranchising the constituents of Representative McIver's district.
  • Setting a precedent for expelling members based on allegations rather than convictions.
  • Further polarizing the political climate.
  • Diverting attention from other pressing legislative matters.
  • Raising concerns about due process and fairness.

Constitutional Alignment

Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the Constitution grants each House of Congress the power to "punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member." The resolution explicitly invokes this clause as the constitutional basis for expulsion. The question of alignment hinges on whether the House deems McIver's alleged actions as "disorderly behavior" warranting expulsion, even in the absence of a criminal conviction.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).