The Republican majority in the House of Representatives failed on Tuesday to censure Democratic Del. Stacey Plaskett and remove her from her position on the Intelligence Committee after defections from a handful of GOP members.
Plaskett became embroiled in controversy late last week after House Republicans released materials showing she texted with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing.
The late-night vote of 209–214 came just hours after the House approved a separate bill directing the Justice Department to release files from its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measure, while another three Republicans voted “present.”
In the days leading up to the vote, the House Oversight Committee began releasing large batches of documents obtained from Epstein’s estate, including text messages and other communications, UPI reported.
The documents included copies of text messages between Epstein and Plaskett as she prepared to question Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to President Donald Trump, during a 2019 congressional hearing, reports noted.
Republicans quickly responded to the disclosure. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) introduced a censure resolution alleging that Plaskett had “inappropriately coordinated” with Epstein by receiving suggested lines of questioning and messages of encouragement. The resolution also sought to refer the matter to the House Ethics Committee for further investigation.
Plaskett, a Democrat, serves as the non-voting delegate representing the U.S. Virgin Islands in the House. While she may participate in committee work and other chamber functions, she is not permitted to vote on the House floor.
In a floor speech, Plaskett defended her actions, stating that Epstein was a constituent and that her communications with him were part of her effort to gather information.
“I know how to question individuals. I know how to seek information. I have sought information from confidential informants, from murderers, from other individuals because I want the truth,” she said.
Epstein had two properties in the Virgin Islands, but he lived in New York City.
Norman, however, told The Washington Post that it was “beyond comprehension” for Plaskett to have communicated with the disgraced financier in connection with House business.
“The American people expect honesty, the American people expect integrity and judgment from their elected officials,” he said in a floor speech, according to the Post. “They expect members of Congress to conduct themselves with one word — decency — not to seek advice from a predator who exploited minor children.”
Earlier this week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), perhaps accidentally, engaged in a moment of truth on Monday when responding to a reporter’s inquiry, saying that Americans are asking why the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s files were not released during President Joe Biden’s term.
“Why wouldn’t they have been released the last four years when President Biden was in office?” a reporter asked Schumer. “That’s the question every American is asking,” he responded. “Not every American, but so many Americans are asking. What the hell is [Donald Trump] hiding? Why doesn’t he want them released?” he added.
In fact, Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Sunday and urged the majority of Republicans in the House and Senate to vote in favor of releasing the files.
Last week, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released emails and documents they claim tied Trump to Epstein’s child sex trafficking, but in reality, the emails did no such thing.
Republicans have speculated for months that if Trump really was involved, the Biden administration would have most certainly released or leaked that information during the 2024 campaign cycle to damage Trump’s chances at getting elected again.
Also Monday, Trump said he would immediately sign legislation authorizing the release of Epstein materials.