House Rejects Censure of Stacey Plaskett After Epstein Texts; Democrats Withdraw Censure of GOP Rep., Sparking Floor Clash

A Republican effort to censure Delegate Stacey Plaskett over text message exchanges with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing failed on the House floor Tuesday night, reigniting partisan tensions and prompting accusations that leaders on both sides struck a deal to protect members facing ethics questions.

The resolution — which would have formally reprimanded Plaskett and removed her from the House Intelligence Committee — was defeated 209 to 214. Three House Republicans voted "present," while Republicans Don Bacon (NE), Lance Gooden (TX) and Dave Joyce (OH) joined all House Democrats in opposing the measure.

What the released documents show

Newly disclosed materials include text-message exchanges that suggest Epstein appeared to follow a 2019 House Oversight Committee hearing with Michael Cohen, then Donald Trump’s attorney, and sent messages to Plaskett during the proceedings. The files indicate Epstein provided information that appears to have informed Plaskett’s line of questioning and included complimentary remarks about her appearance.

One exchange first reported in the media shows Epstein texting, "Thats his assistant," after Plaskett asked, "RONA?? Quick I’m up next is that an acronym." Other messages include Epstein writing "Great outfit" and "You look great," to which Plaskett replied, "Thanks!"

Immediate fallout on the floor

Immediately after the failed censure vote, House Democrats withdrew a planned censure resolution against Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida, who faces separate allegations including stolen valor, financial misconduct and domestic-abuse claims; Mills denies the accusations. The sequence prompted an angry confrontation on the House floor, with Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) confronting fellow Republicans and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) raising a parliamentary inquiry asking Speaker Mike Johnson to explain why leadership on both sides appeared to be "cutting back-end deals to cover up public corruption in the House of Representatives."

Several Republicans accused party leadership of negotiating an arrangement to protect members on both sides. Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) wrote that a "handful of Republicans took a dive" to protect a colleague, and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) called the episode "another backroom deal." Axios reported that Mace could force a vote to censure Mills and remove him from key committee assignments.

Responses and context

Plaskett’s office issued a statement saying she received messages "from staff, constituents and the public at large offering advice, support and in some cases partisan vitriol, including from Epstein," during the hearing. The statement underscored her record combating sexual assault and human trafficking and said she was "disgusted" by Epstein's conduct.

Plaskett, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands as a non-voting delegate, initially declined to return campaign contributions from Epstein after his 2019 arrest but later reversed course following public criticism. She was named in a 2023 lawsuit by six Epstein accusers alleging Virgin Islands officials enabled his trafficking operation; claims against her were dismissed earlier this year.

Separately, Mills has faced a restraining order after a former girlfriend accused him of threatening to release intimate photos. He has denied wrongdoing and pushed back against the allegations.

The episode underscores how newly released records tied to Epstein continue to roil Washington and how ethics questions can prompt sharp partisan outbursts — and accusations of political horse-trading — on the House floor.