What majority is required for each house to expel a member?

Expelling a member from either house of the United States Congress requires a two-thirds vote. This high threshold is in place to ensure that a significant consensus is reached before a member's expulsion, considering the serious implications of such a decision.

The requirement for a two-thirds vote reflects an understanding that expulsion is a severe penalty, necessitating broad agreement among the remaining members to uphold the integrity and standards of the legislative body. In practice, this means that a substantial majority must support the expulsion, which protects members from arbitrary removal and maintains stability within the institution.

In contrast, other voting thresholds like a simple majority or a three-fifths vote would allow for expulsion with less consensus, which does not align with the seriousness of the action. The high bar of a two-thirds majority demands careful consideration and deliberation before taking such a significant step.