Sen. Craig’s attorney has tried and failed to get the Senate to drop its planned investigation into his guilty plea. Stan Brand has a good point that this is not the type of matter that has been historically investigated. Disorderly conduct is an extremely minor offense and the matter does not relate to his senatorial duties. However, the Senate rules are quite broad and reserves the right to investigate any “improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate.” Historically, however, this matter would not be subject to such review. There are few cases of actual expulsion or even censure in its history. Senator William Blount of Tennessee was expelled on the basis of evidence that he incited native americans to go to war against the United States. Even Joseph McCarthy was only censured after his reign of terror against accused communists.