Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has initiated a formal complaint against House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and ranking member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.). The complaint, filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics, alleges that the committee leadership violated internal procedural rules during their investigation into Edwards’ conduct.

This action marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Edwards and the committee. Just two weeks prior to this filing, the House of Representatives voted 413-2 to censure Edwards. That vote was the culmination of an Ethics Committee report that concluded Edwards had engaged in sexual harassment and fostered a hostile workplace environment.

Edwards maintains that the committee’s investigative process was flawed and did not adhere to established standards. By targeting the committee’s leadership, Edwards is attempting to challenge the legitimacy of the findings that led to his censure. Neither Guest nor DeSaulnier has issued a detailed public response to the specific allegations contained in Edwards’ new complaint. The Office of Congressional Ethics has not yet indicated whether it will open a formal inquiry into the conduct of the committee members named in the filing.