This resolution mandates the removal of House members who disobeyed the Speaker's orders on March 6, 2025, from all standing committees for the remainder of the 119th Congress.
Andrew Ogles
Representative
TN-5
This resolution addresses conduct unbecoming of a House Representative, specifically regarding events on March 6, 2025. It mandates the removal of any House members who disobeyed the Speaker's order to leave the Well of the House on March 6, 2025, from all standing committee assignments for the remainder of the 119th Congress. The Sergeant at Arms is tasked with identifying the relevant members and submitting the list to the Speaker for action.
House Resolution Mandates Removal of Members from Committees for Disobeying Speaker's Order on March 6, 2025
This House resolution sets a new precedent for disciplinary action within the legislative body. It specifically targets members who disobeyed the Speaker's order to leave the Well of the House on March 6, 2025, mandating their removal from all standing committee assignments for the rest of the 119th Congress.
Cracking Down on Conduct
The resolution frames this action as a way to ensure members conduct themselves in a manner that "reflects positively on the House." Within one week of this resolution's passage, the Sergeant at Arms is tasked with identifying any members who failed to comply with the Speaker's order on that specific date. Once identified and the list is submitted to the Speaker, those members will be stripped of their committee roles.
Real-World Repercussions
This isn't just an internal House matter—it has real-world implications for representation. Committee assignments are crucial for members to effectively advocate for their constituents' interests. Removing a representative from these committees means those constituents lose a direct voice in shaping legislation relevant to their needs. For example, a representative from an agricultural district removed from the Agriculture Committee would have significantly diminished influence on farming policies directly impacting their community.
The Bigger Picture: Power and Precedent
While maintaining decorum is important, this resolution raises questions about the potential for abuse of power. The Speaker's authority is significantly reinforced, and the resolution's focus on a single past incident could set a precedent for politically motivated removals. The definition of "disobeying the Speaker's order" is open to interpretation, potentially leading to unfair targeting of members. It's like giving your boss the power to dock your pay for disagreeing with them in a meeting—even if your points were valid. This resolution also raises concerns about whether focusing on this one event distracts from broader, ongoing ethical considerations within the House. The resolution effectively states that those identified shall be removed. (Section 2.)