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By Sam Stevenson
Associate News Editor
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The House of Representatives has voted to block an effort by Republican Representative Nancy Mace to make public all congressional sexual misconduct and harassment reports, effectively killing the proposal.
In a 357-65 vote on Wednesday, the House moved to refer Mace's resolution to the House Ethics Committee—a procedural step that halted the measure.
A spokeswoman for Mace directed Newsweek toward the congresswoman's public statement and posts on X when approached for comment.
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In her statement, Mace said: "The victims deserved better. The American people deserved better. Every member who voted to keep these records buried voted to protect power over people. We won't let it go and neither should you."
Why It Matters
The South Carolina congresswoman had forced the vote, arguing that Congress should release records related to sexual misconduct allegations involving lawmakers and staff.
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What To Know
The House Ethics Committee had urged members to vote against the resolution.
In a joint statement, Committee Chairman Michael Guest and ranking member Mark DeSaulnier said the proposal could "chill victim cooperation and witness participation," and make it harder for the committee to investigate and eliminate misconduct.
"Victims may be retraumatized by public disclosures of interim work product, excerpts of interview transcripts, and certain exhibits," the two lawmakers said, adding that witnesses could fear retaliation if confidential materials were made public.
Mace said she brought the resolution forward after reports emerged that Representative Tony Gonzales had sent sexual text messages to a female aide, Regina Santos‑Aviles, who later died by suicide. Gonzales has now admitted to having an affair.
"I made a mistake—I had a lapse in judgment and it was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions," he said in an interview with the conservative media personality known as Joe Pags. "Since then, I've reconciled with my wife, Angel. I've asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever."
The House Ethics Committee said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into the matter. House rules prohibit lawmakers from engaging in relationships with their own staff members.
Mace, who has spoken publicly about being a sexual assault survivor, has called on Gonzales to resign and framed the vote as a test of Congress's commitment to accountability.
Following the vote, she criticized lawmakers who opposed the measure, writing on social media that those demanding the release of the government's Jeffrey Epstein files had voted to keep congressional harassment records sealed.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez said she opposed the resolution because the text had been rushed and did not adequately protect survivors or due process.
In a detailed explanation posted online, Ocasio‑Cortez said the proposal would have released documents tied to allegations that were false or unsubstantiated, offered no mechanism for victim consent, and risked identifying victims even if names were redacted.
She said she believed broader support was possible if the language had better guaranteed victim safety and agency.
Mace has previously aligned with Democrats in efforts to release the Epstein files, and said her goal in this case was to force lawmakers to publicly state where they stand on sexual harassment within Congress.
The vote leaves congressional sexual misconduct and harassment reports sealed under existing Ethics Committee procedures.
What People Are Saying
Representative Nancy Mace said in a post on X: "The loudest voices screaming, 'Release the Epstein Files, ' just voted to BURY the sexual harassment files of Members of Congress. Get it now?"
She added in a statement: "Both parties colluded today to protect predators. They voted to keep sexual harassment records buried, and they did it together.
"Every member who voted against this resolution voted to protect the cover-up instead of the victims.
"This is the establishment in action, always protecting itself, never the victims. Ask yourself why. Remember their names when they ask for your vote.
"We don't want to hear a single member who voted this resolution down utter the name of a single Epstein victim. You don't get to bury sexual harassment records in Congress and then pretend you care about victims. Pick a side.
"The victims deserved better. The American people deserved better. Every member who voted to keep these records buried voted to protect power over people. We won't let it go and neither should you."
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said in a post on X: "If the text was clean, I think you’d get a lot more support. As a survivor, I know why the vast majority of women never report at all and a lot of those reasons, even if unintentionally or inadvertently, were included here. For me at least, guaranteeing the safety and agency of victims and survivors would get me to a YES."
Representative Tony Gonzales said of the ethics probe: “I welcome the opportunity to present all the facts to the committee.”
What Happens Next
Even with an investigation underway, the Ethics Committee may never release a public report.
Its jurisdiction ends if Gonzales resigns or loses reelection before the probe is finished.
Gonzales now faces a May runoff against GOP challenger Brandon Herrera after failing to win a majority in Tuesday night’s Texas primary.
Update: 03/04/26, 04:27 a.m. ET. This article was updated with more information.
Update: 03/04/26, 11:08 a.m. ET. This article was updated with a full statement from Mace.
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