In Florida, Rep. Cory Mills (R) faced strong backlash from his Republican peers even as he avoided further questioning during a session on Wednesday night.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, initiated a vote of censure against Mills, criticizing him for past actions regarding a 2019 congressional hearing that involved Stacey Plaskett, a Democrat from the Virgin Islands, and her alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
“The more we uncover about this individual and his supposed actions, the worse it appears,” Mace remarked.
Mace argued that Mills had compromised his integrity by negotiating a “backroom deal” to shield himself from accusations. This incident mirrored previous assertions about Mills, notably when Mace had also supported Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar’s condemnation for insensitive remarks made after a tragic event.
“There was yet another hidden arrangement to protect Corey Mills from censure,” Mace claimed. She voiced these concerns in a post online.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the House was charged. Reports surfaced of a heated exchange between the two Republicans, with one calling Mills a “disgrace” and hurling insults.
In a follow-up statement, Mace emphasized that her focus lies on more pressing issues, saying, “While Congressman Mills is fixated on my sharp comments, I’m worried about national security and the kind of arms deals he’s forging with foreign nations. There’s also troubling court evidence about his past behavior towards women, along with claims of stolen valor, which diminishes the sacrifices of actual veterans.”
Ultimately, the censure vote resulted in a defeat for Mace, with results showing 310-103 against it. Out of the Republicans, only eight supported the push to advance the measure.
Despite the setback, Mace portrayed the effort as a moral victory, mentioning, “Now the left can’t make shady deals with Mills again or use him as leverage whenever a Republican tries to censure another member. Plus, his conduct will now be reviewed by the Ethics Subcommittee.”
As issues regarding Mills continue to be investigated, Mace called for his removal from committee positions until inquiries are finalized, stating, “Every discovery about this man just gets worse.”
