Part of: The House Ethics reimbursement investigation (2025-2026) · House Ethics Committee Investigation of Rep. Nancy Mace (OCC Review 25-5681)
House squashes effort to force release of Ethics Committee files
Nina Heller reported on the House's rejection of Mace's H.Res. 1100 resolution to compel release of sexual harassment settlement records investigated by the House Ethics Committee, with the resolution referred back to the committee by a 357-65 vote.
Nina Heller ·
"Lawmakers on Wednesday sidestepped an effort by Rep. Nancy Mace aimed at publicly releasing documents related to sexual harassment allegations investigated by the House Ethics Committee."
, Roll Call (Nina Heller), March 4, 2026
Nina Heller reported on March 4, 2026, on the House's procedural move to refer Mace's resolution back to the Ethics Committee rather than hold a full floor vote. Mace had sought to force public disclosure of records related to sexual harassment settlement cases handled by the House Ethics Committee, arguing the public had a right to see how Congress investigates misconduct by its members.
The reporting captured the committee's argument that public disclosure of interim work product, interview transcripts, and exhibits could "chill victim cooperation and witness participation" and subject victims to retraumatization. The motion to refer passed 357-65, with both Democrats and Republicans voting to keep the documents confidential pending the committee's discretionary release decisions.
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March 4, 2026 · DispatchHouse votes 357-65 to block Mace's push to release congressional harassment settlement records
Rep. Nancy Mace's H.Res. 1100 sought to force the release of records on taxpayer-funded sexual-harassment settlements paid on behalf of House members. The House voted 357-65 on March 4, 2026 to refer the resolution back to the Ethics Committee, shelving it. Mace's own office was later subpoenaed in May 2026 by the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, which disclosed over $300,000 in settlements.