Number: RL34037
Title: "No Confidence" Votes and Other Forms of Congressional Censure of Public Officials
Authors: Jack Maskell American Law Division, Richard S. Beth Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: This report discusses the possible significance of action by Congress or either House to adopt a resolution expressing "no confidence" in a cabinet official or other official in the executive branch of the federal government. It examines the legal issues that could be raised by resolutions of this kind and discusses the relation of such action both to votes of no confidence in systems of parliamentary government and to congressional action to censure or otherwise express disapprobation of public officials. It also describes known instances in which action to express a lack of confidence in, or impose another form of censure on, public officials have been attempted in Congress.
Pages: 14
Date: June 11, 2007