The House Ethics Committee has initiated a formal inquiry into Republican Representative Cory Mills of Florida, a move that coincides with the looming threat of a censure resolution that could potentially undermine his influence within Congress.
This bipartisan decision to investigate Mills comes amid a swirl of allegations, including claims of receiving "special favors" and accusations of sexual misconduct. As Mills grapples with these ethical challenges, he faces the possibility of being stripped of his roles on key committees, a decision that could be made as soon as Wednesday night.
According to Conservative Daily News, the Ethics Committee has outlined six specific areas of concern regarding Mills' conduct. These include accusations of failing to disclose necessary information, campaign finance violations, improper solicitation or acceptance of gifts, receiving special favors, domestic violence, and the misuse of congressional resources and status.
Despite the gravity of these allegations, Mills has consistently denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for Mills did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Leading the charge against Mills is Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who has been vocal in her criticism of the Florida lawmaker. Mace has highlighted allegations of domestic abuse and questionable business practices as grounds for her censure resolution, which seeks to remove Mills from his assignments on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Mace emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating, "Given the gravity of these allegations against Mr. Mills, the clear conflicts of interest and potential illegality presented by his business dealings, and the potential implications on U.S. national security and foreign policy, we urge you to remove Mr. Mills from the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs."
The controversy surrounding Mills intensified when a federal judge issued a protective order against him in October. This followed accusations from his former romantic partner, reigning Miss United States Lindsey Langston, who claimed Mills threatened to release compromising photos and videos of her. Speaker Johnson has expressed openness to an Ethics Committee investigation into Mills for sexual misconduct, should it be deemed necessary.
Previously, the Ethics Committee had been examining Mills for potentially violating ethics rules by continuing to benefit from federal contracts while in office, a holdover from his prior career as a defense contractor before joining Congress in 2023. Mace has criticized the formation of the investigative subcommittee, describing it as a "naked attempt to kill my resolution to censure Rep. Cory Mills."
Adding to the political intrigue, Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida has questioned the timing of the Ethics Committee's announcement of its expanded investigation into Mills. Luna, along with Mace and other Republican lawmakers, has expressed frustration with GOP leadership for allowing a censure vote against Democratic delegate Stacey Plaskett to fail.
Plaskett represents the U.S. Virgin Islands. Luna's skepticism was evident in her comment, "Of course they did," followed by a sarcastic remark about the absence of "back door deals."
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Mills and his political future remain uncertain. The outcome of the Ethics Committee's inquiry and the potential censure resolution will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of his career in Congress.
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