A Republican-led effort to censure Democratic delegate Stacey Plaskett over her text message exchanges with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein collapsed on the House floor on Tuesday night. The measure, which would have formally reprimanded Plaskett and removed her from the House intelligence committee, failed by a vote of 209 to 214.
Republicans Don Bacon of Nebraska, Lance Gooden of Texas and Dave Joyce of Ohio voted with all Democrats against the resolution, while three other Republicans voted present. The vote prompted accusations from some Republicans that party leaders had struck a backroom deal to protect members on both sides facing ethics controversies.
After the vote, Democrats withdrew a planned censure resolution against Republican Representative Cory Mills of Florida, who faces allegations of stolen valor, financial misconduct and domestic abuse. Mills has denied the accusations. The sequence led to a confrontation on the House floor, with Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert shouting at fellow Republicans and directly confronting Mills.
The documents at the centre of the controversy show Epstein text-coaching Plaskett during a 2019 House oversight committee hearing with Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney. In one exchange, Epstein alerted Plaskett that Cohen had mentioned Rhona Graff, Trump's longtime executive assistant. Epstein also complimented Plaskett's appearance, writing 'Great outfit' and 'You look great.' Plaskett's office said she received messages from various sources during the hearing, including Epstein, and emphasised her record combating sexual assault and human trafficking.
Several House Republicans accused their leadership of orchestrating an agreement with Democrats to protect both Plaskett and Mills. Florida Republican Kat Cammack wrote on X that 'a handful of Republicans took a dive on a vote to strip Stacey Plaskett of her position on House intel because of her ties to Epstein. They did it to protect a Republican facing his own ethics issues.' Republican Nancy Mace of South Carolina called it 'another backroom deal' and could force a vote to censure Mills.
