Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) recently addressed a Capitol Hill hearing, advocating for new legislation to combat voyeurism. She held the position of chair for the House Oversight on Monitoring People in Private Spaces, as well as the Government Reform Subcommittee.
“Freedom isn’t just a concept. It’s about the right to exist comfortably—like being able to breathe, dress, undress, or sleep without the worry of someone filming you without consent. Sure, the Founding Fathers wrote about freedom, but hidden cameras, well, they really complicate things,” Mace stated. “I’m speaking not only as a legislator but also as someone who has experienced these violations personally.”
Behind her, she displayed a large poster featuring a screenshot from surveillance footage, showing a blurry outline of herself in a private setting. “That yellow circle? That’s me, exposed. I had no idea I was being recorded. I didn’t consent to this,” Mace explained.
She also urged her fellow lawmakers to support her proposed “Sue Terrorist” law, which aims to provide victims with a clear course of action against such invasions of privacy. This plea came in the wake of accusations against her ex-fiance, Patrick Bryant, who allegedly filmed women and girls without their knowledge at a rental property they co-owned. Bryant has vehemently denied these claims, insisting they are false and stem from personal agendas.
“I categorically reject the outrageous accusations made by Nancy Mace. I have never assaulted anyone nor installed hidden cameras to harm women. These allegations do not only misrepresent the truth, but they are deeply personal,” he stated, emphasizing that he had trusted Mace in their relationship, which he feels has been weaponized against him.
Bryant further claimed that witnesses support his version of events and are cooperating with the investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department. He challenged Mace to make her allegations in public instead of within the legislative context, suggesting that the protections lawmakers have shouldn’t shield them from accountability.
“If she truly believes there’s evidence backing her claims, she should pursue them through the proper legal routes, outside the legislative safety net,” he argued. “This isn’t advocacy; it’s the exploitation of political status to serve her own interests. Her allegations lack basis.”
Mace responded forcefully, saying, “I really don’t care what Patrick Bryant thinks.” She elaborated, noting her commitment to drafting laws aimed at protecting women and children, informed by her own experiences with victims. She added, “I genuinely thought the Violence Against Women Act protected victims of eavesdropping, but it turns out there are gaps. There’s no recourse for those who suffer from such violations.”
