The House blocked an effort to formally censure Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida and remove him from his committee assignments over allegations involving federal contracting violations, stolen valor, and assault.
GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced the censure resolution Wednesday, citing serious accusations against Mills. She submitted it as a privileged resolution, requiring GOP leadership to hold a floor vote within two legislative days. Mills, however, referred the resolution to the House Ethics Committee, effectively stalling it.
“All the accusations and false things being said will be proven absolutely false in many ways,” Mills said. “I have the evidence and receipts.”
The vote came shortly after the House Ethics Committee announced it is investigating Mills for alleged campaign finance violations, sexual misconduct, and other possible wrongdoing. Mace called the investigation “a naked attempt to kill my resolution.”
Mills has faced multiple controversies this year. Allegations include threatening to release nude photos of a former girlfriend, which led a judge to grant a protective order in October. Earlier in the year, he was reportedly investigated for potential domestic violence. Mills denies wrongdoing and has not faced any criminal charges.
“Cory Mills’ alleged conduct makes him unfit to serve on any committee responsible for our national security,” Mace said in a statement.
Mace condemned Mills’ alleged actions toward women, potential financial misconduct, and the disputed Bronze Star he received for his military service in Iraq in 2003. She said, “I will not stand by while women risk everything to come forward with credible allegations of abuse and threats. I will not stay silent while a Member of Congress may be lining his pockets through federal contracts. And I will not look the other way while allegations of stolen valor, a slap in the face to every veteran, go unchecked.”
Financial allegations stem from a congressional watchdog report in August 2024, which suggested Mills may have misrepresented information on his campaign finance disclosures and potentially engaged in contracts with federal agencies while serving in Congress, violating House rules and federal law.
Mace also questioned the legitimacy of Mills’ Bronze Star, citing statements from military colleagues who disputed his account of events that led to the award in 2021.
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Mace urged action to remove Mills from the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, expressing “grave concern regarding the fitness” of Mills to serve.
The resolution followed previous Democratic attempts to censure Mills in retaliation for GOP measures against Democrats. Democrats had threatened another censure vote after GOP members attempted to punish Del. Stacey Plaskett, a Democrat from the Virgin Islands, over past communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mace’s censure effort highlights the ongoing partisan tension in Congress over ethics, conduct, and accountability, with both parties using formal measures to challenge members of the opposing side.
