A censure resolution is the most severe form of punishment in the House and represents a dramatic moment on the chamber's floor.
The last time a member was censured was in 2010, when former Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York was censured by his own party over various ethics violations.
After the resolution is adopted, the lawmaker who is being reprimanded is required to stand in the well of the House while the resolution is read out loud by whoever is presiding over the chamber.
A censure carries no explicit penalties beyond a public admonition.
In the case of GOP Rep. Paul Gosar, the censure resolution that was approved in the House today will also remove him from his two committee assignments.
Removing a member of committee assignments deprives them of a powerful platform to influence legislation and give voice to constituent priorities.
The action led by House Democrats represents a major rebuke to the Arizona Republican for posting a photoshopped anime video to social media showing him appearing to kill Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Biden.
Gosar later took down the video after facing criticism but did not apologize. House Democrats have made clear they believe he must face significant consequences for his actions, while many Republicans have argued Democrats are setting a dangerous precedent that could be used against them in the future.
Following passage of the measure today, House Speaker Pelosi asked Gosar to present himself. She then read out the censure and announced the congressman's removal from committee assignments.
The resolution approved by the House will remove Gosar from House Oversight and Reform Committee, which Ocasio-Cortez also serves on, and the Natural Resources Committee.
When Gosar stood in the well as Pelosi read the censure to him, a group of Republicans joined him. Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of California were sitting in the front row as the censure was read.