Reflects Creditably on the House
The requirement that "members act at all times in a way that reflects creditably on the House" has a parallel in the UCMJ's "conduct unbecoming" clause.
Commenter Herb, reacting to Rep. Charlie Rangel’s being charged with 13 ethics violations, was struck by one in particular:
But “the requirement that members act at all times in a way that reflects creditably on the House?”
Whuh? That’s a bit subjective, no? Wouldn’t the other 434 members be at risk of having that one thrown at em too?
The UCMJ has a similar punitive measure, Article 133: “Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”
It’s not abused. It’s usually used in combination with other charges. Additionally, it exists for cases where someone acted in a way everyone thinks scummy but no one thought to write down.
As with the House ethics rules, the monitoring is done by peers reluctant to punish their own. So they’re mighty stingy with invoking it.
