House squashes effort to force release of Ethics Committee files

"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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