[Maru]

House Effectively Kills Mace Push To Release Sexual Misconduct Reports
https://www.newsweek.com/house-repre...ports-11623981

The House of Representatives has voted to block an effort by Republican Representative Nancy Mace to make public all congressional sexual misconduct and harassment reports, effectively killing the proposal.

In a 357-65 vote on Wednesday, the House moved to refer Mace's resolution to the House Ethics Committee—a procedural step that halted the measure.

A spokeswoman for Mace directed Newsweek toward the congresswoman's public statement and posts on X when approached for comment.

In her statement, Mace said: "The victims deserved better. The American people deserved better. Every member who voted to keep these records buried voted to protect power over people. We won't let it go and neither should you."

Why It Matters

The South Carolina congresswoman had forced the vote, arguing that Congress should release records related to sexual misconduct allegations involving lawmakers and staff.

What To Know

The House Ethics Committee had urged members to vote against the resolution.

In a joint statement, Committee Chairman Michael Guest and ranking member Mark DeSaulnier said the proposal could "chill victim cooperation and witness participation," and make it harder for the committee to investigate and eliminate misconduct.

"Victims may be retraumatized by public disclosures of interim work product, excerpts of interview transcripts, and certain exhibits," the two lawmakers said, adding that witnesses could fear retaliation if confidential materials were made public.

Mace said she brought the resolution forward after reports emerged that Representative Tony Gonzales had sent sexual text messages to a female aide, Regina Santos‑Aviles, who later died by suicide. Gonzales has now admitted to having an affair.

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Related:

Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales Admits Affair, Drops Reelection Bid
https://time.com/7382815/tony-gonzal...ffair-staffer/

Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales acknowledges affair with former aide who died by suicide
https://apnews.com/article/tony-gonz...3846f4aeece081

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas acknowledged for the first time Wednesday having an affair with an aide who later died after setting herself on fire, a revelation that came on the same day the House Ethics Committee announced it was initiating an investigation into the congressman.

Gonzales, appearing on the “Joe Pags Show,” was asked if he had a relationship with the aide, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.

“I made a mistake and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales went on to say he reconciled with his wife and has asked God to forgive him. He also said he looked forward to the Ethics Committee investigation. Under House ethics rules, a lawmaker may not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee of the House under their supervision.