PolicyBrief
H.RES. 539
119th CongressJun 24th 2025
Censuring Representative LaMonica McIver and removing her from the Committee on Homeland Security.
IN COMMITTEE

This resolution censures Representative LaMonica McIver and removes her from the Committee on Homeland Security following her alleged interference with federal officers at an immigration facility.

Clay Higgins
R

Clay Higgins

Representative

LA-3

LEGISLATION

House Resolution Censure Rep. McIver, Removes Her from Homeland Security Committee Over Federal Assault Charges

This resolution is the House of Representatives formally punishing one of its members, Representative LaMonica McIver. The core action is two-fold: officially censuring her and immediately removing her from the House Committee on Homeland Security. This disciplinary move stems from serious allegations detailed in a federal grand jury indictment following an incident at a federal immigration facility in New Jersey on May 9, 2025.

The Charges and the House’s Response

The resolution states that Representative McIver is facing three federal charges, including assaulting, resisting, and interfering with federal officers. Specifically, the allegations claim she challenged an officer’s instructions about entering a secure area, physically restrained a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officer by slamming her forearm into him and grabbing him, and interfered with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deportation Officer during an arrest. The House is using this alleged conduct as the basis for discipline, arguing that it violates the rule that every member must act in a manner that "reflects creditably on the House" (Rule XXIII, Clause 1).

What a Censure Actually Means

Section 1 of the resolution dictates the formal censure. This is essentially the House’s strongest form of public, institutional disapproval short of expulsion. For Representative McIver, this is more than just a strongly worded letter; it requires her to stand in the House chamber immediately so the Speaker can publicly read the resolution aloud. This process ensures the reprimand is highly visible and officially documented, serving as a permanent mark on her congressional record. While it doesn't remove her from office, it strips her of institutional standing and influence.

Kicked Off the Committee

Section 2 executes an immediate personnel change: Representative McIver is removed from the House Committee on Homeland Security. This is a big deal because that committee is responsible for overseeing the very agencies—like HSI and ICE—she is accused of interfering with. The resolution argues that allowing her to remain on this specific committee creates a major conflict of interest, especially given the nature of the charges. For regular people, this matters because committee assignments are where policy is actually written; losing that seat means losing the ability to shape legislation related to immigration and border security oversight.

The Real-World Impact of Institutional Discipline

This resolution shows the House using its disciplinary power based on criminal allegations, not a conviction. While the charges are serious and directly related to the oversight duties of her committee, the action sets a precedent for how the House handles serious legal issues involving its members before the judicial process concludes. For Representative McIver, the impact is immediate and severe: she faces public humiliation through the censure and loses a powerful platform in Congress. For the institution, it’s a move to quickly address a conflict of interest and uphold internal standards, even if it relies on a subjective rule about what “reflects creditably” on the House.