Scandals and Controversies in the House of Representatives: Who Got Kicked Out

The United States Congress has been a hotbed of controversy and scandal throughout its history. From members of Congress to the occasional senator or representative, the line between public service and self-serving interests has often been blurred. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most notable cases of lawmakers who were kicked out of Congress due to various scandals and controversies.

Over the years, Congress has been plagued by corruption, embezzlement, and other forms of malfeasance. From bribery and nepotism to scandals involving sex, money, and power, the list of transgressions goes on and on. As a result, many lawmakers have been forced to resign or face expulsion from the halls of power. In this article, we'll delve into some of the most notable cases, exploring the controversies that led to their downfall.

Early Controversies: From Whiskey Ring Scandals to Teapot Dome

In the late 19th century, Congress was rocked by several high-profile scandals, including the Whiskey Ring scandal and the Teapot Dome scandal. These scandals, which involved corruption and bribery, led to the expulsion of several lawmakers from office.

One of the most notable cases was that of Senator John W. Ballard, who was accused of accepting bribes from distillers in exchange for his support of legislation that benefited the industry. Ballard was expelled from the Senate in 1881 and later sentenced to a year in prison.

Another notable case was that of Representative J.S. Messer, who was accused of taking bribes from the owner of a railroad in exchange for his support of legislation that benefited the railroad. Messer was expelled from the House of Representatives in 1883.

The Watergate Scandal and the Expulsion of Representative Wheeler

The Watergate scandal, which rocked the Nixon administration in the 1970s, also had a significant impact on the House of Representatives. In 1974, Representative Charles H. Wheeler (D-MA) was accused of involvement in the scandal and was subsequently expelled from the House.

Wheeler had allegedly accepted bribes from a water rights consultant in exchange for his support of legislation that benefited the consultant's company. The House of Representatives voted to expel Wheeler, with 222 representatives in favor of his expulsion and 204 against.

The Cocaine and Pornography Scandals: How Lawmakers Were Kicked Out

In the 1980s and 1990s, several lawmakers were accused of involvement in the cocaine trade and other scandals involving pornography. One of the most notable cases was that of Representative Michael Andrew Lowrey (D-FL), who was accused of using his position to help a friend's cocaine trafficking business.

Lowrey was expelled from the House in 1986 after being accused of using his position to help a friend's cocaine trafficking business. The scandal led to a lengthy investigation, and Lowrey was ultimately forced to resign from office.

Another notable case was that of Representative Robert T. Matsui (D-CA), who was accused of using his position to help a friend's pornography business. Matsui was expelled from the House in 1999 after being accused of using his position to help a friend's pornography business.

The Abramoff Scandal and the Expulsion of Representative Jeff Flake

In 2005, Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ) became the first member of Congress to be expelled in over 30 years due to his involvement in the Abramoff scandal.

The Abramoff scandal involved lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who was accused of bribing several lawmakers, including Flake, in exchange for their support of legislation that benefited his clients. Flake was accused of accepting bribes from Abramoff in exchange for his support of legislation that benefited Abramoff's clients.

The House of Representatives voted to expel Flake in 2006, with 416 representatives in favor of his expulsion and 21 against.

The Vitter Scandal and the Expulsion of Senator David Vitter

In 2007, Senator David Vitter (R-LA) became embroiled in a scandal involving the use of prostitutes and a reference to a prostitution ring in the Pentagon. The scandal, which involved Vitter's use of a pseudonym to access the prostitution ring, led to his resignation from the Senate in 2008.

Vitter's resignation was prompted by the revelation that he had used a pseudonym to access the prostitution ring, which had been linked to former Senator David Bagley. The scandal led to widespread outrage, and Vitter ultimately resigned from the Senate in 2008.

The Corruption and Nepotism Scandal of Representative Christopher Lee

In 2012, Representative Christopher Lee (R-NY) was embroiled in a scandal involving corruption and nepotism. The scandal, which involved Lee's use of his position to help his wife and children, led to his resignation from Congress in 2012.

Lee was accused of using his position to help his wife, Blaire, and their children, who were allegedly involved in a telemarketing scheme. The scandal led to widespread outrage, and Lee ultimately resigned from Congress in 2012.

Conclusion

Scandals and controversies have been a part of the fabric of American politics for centuries. From bribery and nepotism to scandals involving sex, money, and power, the list of transgressions goes on and on. In this article, we've taken a look at some of the most notable cases of lawmakers who were kicked out of Congress due to various scandals and controversies.

These cases serve as a reminder that, even in the most powerful positions of authority, individuals are still human and can be prone to making mistakes and taking shortcuts. As such, it's essential for lawmakers to remain vigilant and uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability.