The events leading to Senator McCarthy's censure by the U.S. Senate are summarized as follows:
Rising Influence and Power:
By the early 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy had gained significant influence and public attention through his relentless pursuit of potential communists within the government and Hollywood. His tactics included public accusations, media manipulation, and the use of unsubstantiated allegations.
Army-McCarthy Hearings:
In April 1954, public skepticism about McCarthy's methods intensified after a series of televised hearings known as the Army-McCarthy Hearings. During these hearings, McCarthy's accusations and aggressive style were extensively scrutinized and criticized.
Condemnation by the Senate Select Committee:
A Senate Select Committee was established to investigate McCarthy's conduct. After thorough inquiries and hearings, the committee released its report in July 1954, condemning McCarthy's actions as "contrary to senatorial traditions" and "contrary to the dignity of the Senate."
Censure Resolution:
Based on the Senate Select Committee's report, a resolution to censure Senator McCarthy was introduced in the Senate. After weeks of debate, the Senate passed the censure resolution on December 2, 1954.
Outcome:
Senator McCarthy was censured by a vote of 67 to 22, with Democrats primarily supporting the resolution, and Republicans mostly opposed. Although the censure did not result in immediate political repercussions, it significantly diminished McCarthy's influence, public support, and political authority.
In summary, Senator McCarthy's censure resulted from the cumulative impact of his aggressive and unsubstantiated accusations, particularly during the televised Army-McCarthy Hearings, which led to the Senate Select Committee's condemnation and ultimately the passage of the censure resolution by the U.S. Senate.