House Rebukes Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

The House of Representatives voted 240-179 (pretty much right along party lines) to formally rebuke Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) for his outburst during President Obama's speech on health care reform.

Whereas on September 9, 2009, during the joint session of Congress convened pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 179, the President of the United States, speaking at the invitation of the House and Senate, had his remarks interrupted by the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson;

And Whereas the conduct of the Representative from South Carolina was a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives disapproves of the behavior of the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson, during the joint session of Congress held on September 9, 2009.

Ooh, they disapprove. That'll learn him. A resolution of disapproval is the lightest punishment for Congress members. List of Congressional censures here. Neither a rebuke or censure has any effect on a Congress member's duties, it's just a scolding.

UPDATE: Seven Republicans voted for the resolution, 12 Dems voted against. Five Democrats voted "present," including Barney Frank.