Censure is a formal statement of disapproval in the form of a resolution that is adopted by majority vote in Congress. It is a way for Congress to discipline its members for inappropriate or detrimental conduct. Censure is less severe than expulsion, which removes a member from office, but it is still a formal statement of disapproval that can have a powerful psychological effect on a member and on that members relationships in Congress. The term “censure” is not found in the Constitution, but Article I, Section 5, clause 2, gives each house of Congress the authority to "punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour".

When a member of Congress is censured, they are required to give up any committee chairs they hold. However, a censure does not remove a member from their office nor does it deny to a senator his or her rights or privileges. There are also no legal consequences that come with a reprimand or censure. A censure is essentially a form of public humiliation carried out on the floor of the House or Senate. The member being censured must stand at the “well” of the House or Senate chamber to receive a verbal rebuke and reading of the resolution by the Speaker. A censure alone would not remove a member from their committee assignments, but it can threaten the relationships they have with their colleagues.