Chuck Edwards: “I commend the Department for continuing to meet and work on these management challenges and improve its operations and…”

The factual findings of this investigation do not justify branding me as though I did.

I’m sorry that my actions, my judgment or the way that I expressed a friendship ever put either of you in an uncomfortable position.

I respect the House vote. I do not accept the conclusion that it produced.

I can acknowledge poor judgment, regret the discomfort that some of my actions may have caused, and apologize to those who were hurt by this episode, while still disputing a conclusion that the evidence simply does not support.