House votes 310–103 to refer Mills censure to Ethics; committee seats preserved
The House voted 310–103 to refer Nancy Mace’s privileged censure resolution against Rep. Cory Mills to the House Ethics Committee, a bipartisan move (about 106 Democrats joined 204 Republicans) that preserved his seats on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs panels. The referral came after the Ethics panel opened a wide-ranging investigation into allegations including campaign finance violations, misuse of resources, sexual‑misconduct/domestic‑abuse claims and questions about Mills’s military service; Mills denies the accusations and Mace had accused him of misrepresenting his service and of crimes against women.
Congressional Ethics
House Ethics Committee
U.S. Politics
Politics
U.S. House of Representatives
Ethics/Investigations
Congress
Cory Mills
📌 Key Facts
- The House voted 310–103 to refer Rep. Cory Mills' censure resolution, filed by Rep. Nancy Mace as a privileged measure, to the House Ethics Committee, preventing an immediate floor censure vote and preserving Mills' committee assignments.
- The referral vote consisted of 204 Republicans and 106 Democrats for referral; 8 Republicans and 95 Democrats voted to advance the censure instead; roughly a dozen members voted present. Named Republicans who voted to advance the censure included Anna Paulina Luna, Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Harriet Hageman, Tim Burchett, Kat Cammack and Joe Wilson; Democrats who voted to refer included Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley.
- The House Ethics Committee announced and opened a wide‑ranging investigation into Mills covering alleged campaign finance violations (in two campaigns), misuse of congressional resources, failures to disclose required information, and improper gifts tied to privately sponsored official travel; the committee noted creating an investigative subcommittee does not itself indicate a violation.
- A Florida judge has imposed a no‑contact protective order against Mills involving an ex‑girlfriend, including a 500‑foot stay‑away and a ban on social‑media references through year‑end; the judge found the woman was a victim of, or at risk of, dating violence.
- Mace planned to introduce the censure as a privileged resolution during the House’s only vote series (scheduled for the 8 p.m. hour); privileged status requires House GOP leaders to bring it to a vote within two legislative days.
- In her letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Mace alleged 'credible' accusations that Mills misrepresented his military service and committed 'crimes against women,' and she pressed leadership to remove him from the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees; she also said a general who 'recommended' Mills for a Bronze Star says he never wrote, read or signed that recommendation.
- Mills has publicly denied the allegations — including accusations of domestic abuse, stolen valor and financial misconduct — saying the accusations will be proven false, that he has 'evidence and receipts,' and that he will cooperate with investigators.
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📰 Sources (5)
Ethics panel opens investigation of Rep. Cory Mills
New information:
- Ethics Committee formally outlines a wide-ranging probe into Rep. Cory Mills covering alleged campaign finance violations (two campaigns), misuse of congressional resources, failures to disclose required information, and improper gifts tied to privately sponsored official travel.
- A Florida judge has imposed a no-contact protective order against Mills regarding an ex‑girlfriend, including a 500‑foot stay‑away and a ban on social‑media references through year‑end; the judge found the woman was a victim of, or at risk of, dating violence.
- Ethics notes creation of an investigative subcommittee does not itself indicate a violation.
- Mills’ on‑the‑record response: he says accusations will be proven false and that he has 'evidence and receipts' and will cooperate.
Democrats help stop censure of GOP Rep. Cory Mills, saving his committee seats
New information:
- Motion to refer passed 310–103, with about a dozen members voting present.
- 106 Democrats joined 204 Republicans to refer the censure to the Ethics Committee; 8 Republicans and 95 Democrats voted to advance censure.
- Named Republican opponents of referral: Anna Paulina Luna, Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Harriet Hageman, Tim Burchett, Kat Cammack, Joe Wilson.
- Named Democrats who voted to refer (thus preserving seats): Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley.
- Note that the Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Mills shortly before the vote; Mills denies allegations of domestic abuse, stolen valor, and financial misconduct.
House blocks Nancy Mace's censure effort against fellow Republican Cory Mills
New information:
- Outcome update: The House referred Mace’s privileged censure resolution to the Ethics Committee, stopping a floor censure vote.
- Context: The referral occurred hours after the Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Mills for alleged campaign finance violations, sexual misconduct, and other potential wrongdoing.
- Statements: Mills publicly denied allegations; Mace pressed leadership to remove him from Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
Nancy Mace to force censure vote against fellow House Republican
New information:
- Mace will introduce the censure as a privileged resolution during the House’s only vote series Wednesday, scheduled for the 8 p.m. hour.
- Privileged status requires House GOP leaders to bring it to a vote within two legislative days (by end of session Friday).
- Mace’s letter to Speaker Mike Johnson alleges 'credible' accusations that Mills misrepresented his military service and of 'crimes against women.'
- Mace claims the general who 'recommended' Mills for a Bronze Star says he never wrote, read, or signed it; Mills’ office denies any backroom deal and says it expected a censure vote Tuesday night.
- Mills voted in favor of censuring Del. Stacey Plaskett; Democrats did not pursue their own censure of Mills after the Plaskett measure failed.