The House rejected a Republican-led attempt to strip Democratic U.S. Virgin Islands Rep. Stacey Plaskett of her top seat on the House Intelligence Committee Tuesday night after a breakaway group of Republicans joined with Democrats to defeat the measure.
Lawmakers voted 209 to 214 formally. censure Plaskett, a non-voting delegate, revealed in newly released text messages that she consulted with late convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing. Three Republicans — Reps. Lance Gooden of Texas, Don Bacon of Nebraska and Dave Joyce of Ohio — joined with Democrats to challenge the Democrats. permission reprimand Plaskett. (RELATED: 'Quick, I'm Next': Dem Del Plaskett Caught Epstein Sending Text Messages to Help Lead Questioning During Congressional Hearings)
Three other GOP lawmakers were in attendance: Representatives Jay Obernolti of California, Dan Mazer of Pennsylvania and Andrew Garbarino of New York. Four Republicans did not vote.
The censure resolution proposed by South Carolina Republican Representative Ralph Norman was drafted in response to a recent statement excavated texts between Plaskett and Epstein and released last week as part of the House Oversight Committee filing. The messages show Plaskett consulting with Epstein for advice on what to ask former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who testified at the February 2019 hearing.
Several conservative Republican lawmakers were angry at their Republican colleagues for helping defeat the resolution.
“I am absolutely disgusted by this group of losers,” Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett. wrote on X.
A handful of Republicans helped defeat resolutions to censure Democratic officials. LaMonica McIver New Jersey and Ilhan Omar Minnesota earlier this year.
(Left) U.S. Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, Ralph Norman, R-South Carolina, and Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, speak with each other in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., January 3, 2025. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Plaskett attempted to defend herself by characterizing Epstein, whose primary residence was in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as a normal interaction with a “voter.” By 2008, Epstein had been convicted of sex crimes, but served only 13 months in county jail due to a controversial plea deal.
“Let me tell you something. I don't need advice on how to question anyone from any person. I've been a lawyer for 30 years,” Plaskett told the House on Tuesday. “I sought information from confidential informants, from murderers, from other people because I want the truth, not because I need them to tell me what to say.”
Plaskett previously worked at the Justice Department before beginning his congressional career in January 2015.
In sporadic messages during the hearing, Epstein mentioned former Trump executive assistant Rona Graff, saying: “Cohen raised the issue of RONA [sic] – keeper of secrets.”
“RONA??” Plaskett responded. “Quick, I'm next” is an acronym, she asked.
Epstein then explained: “This [sic] his assistant.”
The convicted sex predator later told Plaskett, “Good job,” after she finished questioning Cohen.
Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, and other members of the conservative caucus argued that Plaskett's decision to work with Epstein warranted a formal rebuke from the lower chamber.
“Using information obtained from a sex offender to shape issues at a formal hearing is UNACCEPTABLE and cannot be ignored,” Norman wrote on X.
“Delegate Plaskett’s relationship with Epstein stands in stark contrast to the public image she has created for herself as a champion of justice and accountability while secretly collaborating with a man whose crimes against vulnerable women and children shocked the nation,” the resolution reads in part.
Norman, a known fiscal hawk, is running in a crowded South Carolina gubernatorial primary during next year's midterm elections.
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