House rejects GOP bid to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett, 209–214; HPSCI removal fails
The House on Tuesday rejected a GOP resolution to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett and remove her from the House Intelligence Committee over 2019 text messages with Jeffrey Epstein, with the measure failing 209–214 (three Republicans joined Democrats and three Republicans voted present). Republicans’ effort came after a separate Democratic motion to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee failed 213–214; Rep. Ralph Norman sponsored the censure while Democrats, led on the floor by Rep. Jamie Raskin, defended Plaskett as communicating with a constituent and simultaneously forced a counter censure motion targeting Rep. Cory Mills.
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📌 Key Facts
- The House rejected the GOP censure resolution against Delegate Stacey Plaskett, 209–214; three Republicans joined Democrats to defeat the measure and three additional Republicans voted "present."
- Rep. Ralph Norman (R‑S.C.) introduced a four‑page resolution seeking to censure Plaskett, direct an Ethics Committee probe, and remove her only from the House Intelligence Committee (not from Ways and Means or Budget).
- Earlier in the process, House Democrats’ motion to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee failed 213–214; Republicans say the censure centers on Plaskett’s 2019 texts with Jeffrey Epstein during a February 2019 hearing.
- Rep. Jamie Raskin and Del. Stacey Plaskett defended her conduct on the House floor, characterizing the texts as constituent communication (Raskin said she was "taking a phone call from her constituent, Jeffrey Epstein"); that defense drew criticism, including the White House Rapid Response team calling Raskin’s remarks "sick" and journalist Lee Fang labeling the claim "incredibly dishonest" and citing court filings suggesting deeper ties.
- Democrats reintroduced a privileged censure resolution against Rep. Cory Mills — a five‑page measure by Rep. Yvette Clarke alleging domestic abuse, stolen valor and financial misconduct, which Mills denies — to force a floor vote as leverage; Rep. Nancy Mace said she would vote for the Mills censure, raising the risk of GOP defections given the narrow majority.
- House Oversight sent a letter to the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general requesting information on Jeffrey Epstein the same day, and the censure/removal actions came minutes after the House voted to release the Epstein files.
📰 Sources (5)
House Dem slammed for 'sick' defense of colleague caught texting Epstein during 2019 hearing
New information:
- Rep. Jamie Raskin defended Del. Stacey Plaskett on the House floor, saying she was 'taking a phone call from her constituent, Jeffrey Epstein' during the 2019 hearing.
- The White House Rapid Response team posted a clip of Raskin’s remarks and labeled them 'sick.'
- Journalist Lee Fang publicly criticized Raskin’s claim as 'incredibly dishonest,' citing court filings that describe deeper ties between Plaskett and Epstein.
- Article reiterates that the censure resolution was introduced by Rep. Ralph Norman on Tuesday.
House Freedom Caucus bid to censure Democrat over Epstein links goes down in flames
New information:
- The censure resolution against Del. Stacey Plaskett failed on the House floor, 209–214.
- Three Republicans joined Democrats to defeat the measure; three additional Republicans voted 'present.'
- The resolution sought both censure and removal of Plaskett from the House Intelligence Committee.
- Rep. Ralph Norman (R‑S.C.) formally introduced the measure; Rep. Jamie Raskin (D‑Md.) led the Democratic rebuttal.
- Context cited: texts between Plaskett and Jeffrey Epstein during Michael Cohen’s February 2019 testimony.
Democrats force Cory Mills censure vote after GOP targets Plaskett's texts with Epstein
New information:
- Rep. Yvette Clarke re‑introduced her censure of Rep. Cory Mills as a privileged resolution, forcing a floor vote by Thursday (possibly as soon as Tuesday night).
- Rep. Nancy Mace said she would vote for the Mills censure, increasing the risk of GOP defections given the 219–214 margin.
- Clarke’s five‑page Mills censure cites allegations including domestic abuse, stolen valor, and financial misconduct; Mills denies the claims.
- Democrats have twice previously used the threat of censuring Mills to derail GOP censure efforts (including against Reps. McIver and Omar), and are attempting the tactic again in response to the Plaskett measure.
- Context reiterated: the House narrowly advanced the Plaskett censure (and Intel removal) after a 213–214 failure to refer it to Ethics; Plaskett’s 2019 texts with Jeffrey Epstein are central to the GOP resolution.
Republicans move to oust Democrat Plaskett from House Intel panel over Epstein texts
New information:
- House Democrats’ motion to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee failed 213–214.
- A floor vote to remove Del. Stacey Plaskett from the House Intelligence Committee could occur as soon as Tuesday night.
- Rep. Ralph Norman formally introduced a four-page resolution censuring Plaskett, directing an Ethics Committee probe, and removing her only from the Intelligence Committee (not Ways and Means or Budget).
- The move came minutes after the House voted to release the Epstein files.
- Statements on the floor from Rep. Jamie Raskin and Plaskett defending her conduct and framing the texts as constituent communication.
- House Oversight sent a letter to the U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general requesting information on Epstein the same day.