House Ethics to investigate Mace on reimbursement practices

"House Ethics to investigate Mace on reimbursement practices"

- Roll Call, March 2, 2026

Roll Call, the Capitol Hill trade publication read by congressional staff, members, and lobbyists, confirmed on the same day as the Post and Courier's breaking story that the House Ethics Committee had opened a formal investigation into Mace's housing and food reimbursement practices.

The Roll Call confirmation carried particular weight for a Washington audience that follows congressional procedure closely. An Ethics Committee investigation, as opposed to a preliminary OCC referral, represents a formal escalation with subpoena power and public accountability mechanisms.

The Post and Courier's Caitlin Byrd had reported earlier that day that, per the OCC report, the Office of Congressional Conduct found "substantial reason to believe" Mace had allegedly overbilled the taxpayer-funded Member Representational Allowance for both housing (nearly $9,500 in excess claims tied to her Capitol Hill townhouse) and meals (more than $9,400). According to the same reporting, the OCC report stated that Mace refused to cooperate with its probe. "Substantial reason to believe" is a preliminary OCC finding, not an adjudication of wrongdoing.

Together, the Post and Courier and Roll Call coverage ensured the story broke simultaneously for national and DC-insider audiences, and the Washington Post followed with a third companion piece the next day.

Related coverage

• Post and Courier: US Rep. Nancy Mace accused of misusing taxpayer funds to cover her DC housing and meals
• Washington Post: Nancy Mace ethics investigation, housing costs reimbursement