The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to censure North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards after a bipartisan Ethics Committee investigation found that he engaged in what lawmakers described as persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers. The censure passed by a vote of 413-2, with Edwards and South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman the only members voting against the measure. Edwards has also ended his bid for re-election.&nbsp;The House Ethics Committee's investigation detailed thousands of dollars in gifts, late-night text messages, personal notes and unwanted attention directed toward the two staffers. Investigators concluded that the conduct violated House rules concerning sexual harassment and contributed to a hostile work environment. Speaking on the House floor on Tuesday, Edwards apologized to the women and acknowledged that his judgment had been poor, while maintaining that his actions were intended as part of what he believed was a friendship. “I’m sorry that my actions, my judgment, or the way that I expressed a friendship ever put either of you in an uncomfortable position. My intentions were only grounded in what I understood our friendship to be.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-doing-memes-carney-urges-trump-administration-to-get-serious-on-trade-talks-1788319382074">'Stop doing memes': Carney urges Trump administration to get serious on trade talks</a>&nbsp;House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest said the case did not involve what he described as “quid pro quo sexual harassment.” Instead, he said the investigation found a pattern of behavior that created a hostile work environment. “While Representative Edwards denies that his conduct was intended to be sexual or romantic, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable person to interpret it as such,” Guest said.&nbsp;According to Guest, Edwards gave the staffers lavish gifts, made comments about their appearance and clothing, sent notes expressing affection, and invited them to intimate dinners and vacations. Guest also said Edwards knew that the women were uncomfortable with his conduct but continued the pattern of behaviour. The bipartisan censure marks a significant congressional rebuke for Edwards, who has already withdrawn from the race for another term.

US House censures Rep. Chuck Edwards in a 413-2 vote after an Ethics Committee investigation into inappropriate conduct toward two female staffers

The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to censure North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards after a bipartisan Ethics Committee investigation found that he engaged in what lawmakers described as persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers. The censure passed by a vote of 413-2, with Edwards and South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman the only members voting against the measure. Edwards has also ended his bid for re-election. The House Ethics Committee's investigation detailed thousands of dollars in gifts, late-night text messages, personal notes and unwanted attention directed toward the two staffers. Investigators concluded that the conduct violated House rules concerning sexual harassment and contributed to a hostile work environment. Speaking on the House floor on Tuesday, Edwards apologized to the women and acknowledged that his judgment had been poor, while maintaining that his actions were intended as part of what he believed was a friendship. “I’m sorry that my actions, my judgment, or the way that I expressed a friendship ever put either of you in an uncomfortable position. My intentions were only grounded in what I understood our friendship to be.” Also Read: 'Stop doing memes': Carney urges Trump administration to get serious on trade talks House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest said the case did not involve what he described as “quid pro quo sexual harassment.” Instead, he said the investigation found a pattern of behavior that created a hostile work environment. “While Representative Edwards denies that his conduct was intended to be sexual or romantic, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable person to interpret it as such,” Guest said. According to Guest, Edwards gave the staffers lavish gifts, made comments about their appearance and clothing, sent notes expressing affection, and invited them to intimate dinners and vacations. Guest also said Edwards knew that the women were uncomfortable with his conduct but continued the pattern of behaviour. The bipartisan censure marks a significant congressional rebuke for Edwards, who has already withdrawn from the race for another term.

US House votes 413-2 to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards after an Ethics Committee probe found inappropriate conduct toward two female staffers

US House votes 413-2 to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards over conduct towards staffers

In recent weeks, House Ethics Committee investigators have conducted a series of closed-door interviews with numerous women who were witnesses in the years-long Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into Representative Matt Gaetz, multiple sources familiar with the committee's work have told the US channel ABC News.

Several women who testified during the lengthy Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz have been interviewed in private by House Ethics Committee investigators in recent weeks, multiple sources familiar with the committee's work told ABC News.

At least six women have been questioned by investigators about their alleged attendance at parties attended by the Florida Congressman and paid for by Joel Greenberg, a former close friend of Gaetz.

After pleading guilty to numerous crimes, including sex trafficking and introducing a minor to other "adult men," Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison in 2022.

All of the accusations, including the one about paying for sex, have long been refuted by Gaetz, who previously dismissed them with the statement, "Someone is trying to recategorise my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward." Following a year-long inquiry, the Justice Department informed Gaetz in 2023 that it would not be pursuing charges against him.

Earlier this year, the Committee subpoenaed documents from the Justice Department about its investigation into the Florida lawmaker. Still, sources claimed that the agency has refused to provide the data. But after sending the company a subpoena, the committee was able to collect Gaetz's Venmo records, sources told ABC News.

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A fresh update on the investigation into Gaetz was given by the House Ethics Committee on Tuesday. The bipartisan panel will continue to look into claims that the Florida congressman "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use" and that he "sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct." The committee has spoken with over a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of documents.

Furthermore, the committee stated that it will no longer look into claims made against Gaetz, including that he "may have accepted a bribe or improper gratuity, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor."

On Monday, Gaetz claimed that "every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration" and referred to the House Ethics Committee as "Soviet."

Investigators have also questioned many witnesses regarding a party in July 2017. According to sources, the committee was given a sworn statement by a woman who claimed to have been there at the Florida party that Gaetz also attended. According to reports, the committee has also been informed by several witnesses that they witnessed Gaetz using illegal drugs at parties.

The committee began its investigation against Gaetz in 2021 before putting it on hold while the Justice Department conducted its investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)

In recent weeks, House Ethics Committee investigators have conducted a series of closed-door interviews with numerous women who were witnesses in the years-long Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into Representative Matt Gaetz, multiple sources familiar with the committee's work have told the US channel ABC News.

In recent weeks, House Ethics Committee investigators have conducted a series of closed-door interviews with numerous women who were witnesses in the years-long Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into Representative Matt Gaetz, multiple sources familiar with the committee's work have told the US channel ABC News. Several women who testified during the lengthy Justice Department sex trafficking investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz have been interviewed in private by House Ethics Committee investigators in recent weeks, multiple sources familiar with the committee's work told ABC News. At least six women have been questioned by investigators about their alleged attendance at parties attended by the Florida Congressman and paid for by Joel Greenberg, a former close friend of Gaetz. After pleading guilty to numerous crimes, including sex trafficking and introducing a minor to other "adult men," Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison in 2022. All of the accusations, including the one about paying for sex, have long been refuted by Gaetz, who previously dismissed them with the statement, "Someone is trying to recategorise my generosity to ex-girlfriends as something more untoward." Following a year-long inquiry, the Justice Department informed Gaetz in 2023 that it would not be pursuing charges against him. Earlier this year, the Committee subpoenaed documents from the Justice Department about its investigation into the Florida lawmaker. Still, sources claimed that the agency has refused to provide the data. But after sending the company a subpoena, the committee was able to collect Gaetz's Venmo records, sources told ABC News. Also read: Chinese 'underground bankers' launder Sinaloa drug money US Los Angeles A fresh update on the investigation into Gaetz was given by the House Ethics Committee on Tuesday. The bipartisan panel will continue to look into claims that the Florida congressman "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use" and that he "sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct." The committee has spoken with over a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of documents. Furthermore, the committee stated that it will no longer look into claims made against Gaetz, including that he "may have accepted a bribe or improper gratuity, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor." On Monday, Gaetz claimed that "every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration" and referred to the House Ethics Committee as "Soviet." Investigators have also questioned many witnesses regarding a party in July 2017. According to sources, the committee was given a sworn statement by a woman who claimed to have been there at the Florida party that Gaetz also attended. According to reports, the committee has also been informed by several witnesses that they witnessed Gaetz using illegal drugs at parties. The committee began its investigation against Gaetz in 2021 before putting it on hold while the Justice Department conducted its investigation. (With inputs from agencies)

House Ethics Committee interviews women witnesses in Gaetz sex trafficking probe

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US House votes 413-2 to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards over conduct towards staffers

House Ethics Committee interviews women witnesses in Gaetz sex trafficking probe