In recent sessions, the House of Representatives has experienced an unusual surge in censure resolutions, with lawmakers from both major parties engaging in a series of accusations and threats of official reprimands. This uptick includes allegations ranging from a Democrat's attempt to select a successor to another's communication with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On the Republican side, a member faced accusations of fabricating military honors and assaulting a woman, while another Democrat was indicted for misappropriating Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.

Historically, censure was a rare occurrence, typically reserved for clear cases of misconduct or illegal actions, often following investigations by the House Ethics Committee. However, the current political climate has led to a more frequent and partisan use of censure as a political tool. Lawmakers are now more inclined to bring accusations directly to the House floor, bypassing traditional investigative processes, which has resulted in a notable increase in public reprimands.

This trend has fostered a divisive atmosphere among members of Congress, consuming significant legislative time and prompting calls from some lawmakers for bipartisan efforts to reduce tensions. Despite these calls, there are allegations of undisclosed agreements between party leaders to suppress certain censure measures, although leaders from both parties have denied such claims.