Overview
- Lawmakers rejected the censure resolution 209–214, with three Republicans joining Democrats to oppose it and three Republicans voting present.
- An earlier Democratic motion to refer the matter to the House Ethics Committee narrowly failed 213–214, allowing a floor vote to proceed.
- The resolution sought to formally censure Plaskett, remove her from the House Intelligence Committee, and instruct Ethics to examine her ties to Epstein.
- Documents provided to the House Oversight Committee show Epstein texted suggestions during the 2019 Michael Cohen hearing; Plaskett’s office said she received messages from staff, constituents and the public, including Epstein, and she denied seeking advice.
- The censure fight unfolded as the House voted 427–1 to compel release of unclassified Justice Department Epstein files, intensifying scrutiny of the broader document trove.