Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Cory Mills (R-FL) are locked in a public feud after Mace filed a motion to expel Mills from the House over allegations of stolen valor, sexual misconduct, and financial misconduct. Mills has responded by accusing Mace of hypocrisy and political theater, while also considering his own expulsion motion against her. Both lawmakers are under House Ethics Committee investigations.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
Mace introduced the expulsion resolution on Monday, citing an ongoing House Ethics Committee probe into Mills. The resolution accuses Mills of falsely representing his military service, sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations, and illegal activity involving federal contracts. Mills has denied all allegations and called Mace’s motion a political stunt. He has also faced separate allegations of domestic violence and financial misconduct, which he has denied.
Deeper Dive & Context
Allegations Against Mills
Mills has been accused of threatening an ex-girlfriend with revenge porn and assaulting a former romantic partner. Law enforcement responded to a domestic incident involving Mills in Washington, D.C., last year, though no criminal charges were filed. The House Ethics Committee is reviewing these claims, but Mills has not been charged with any crimes.
Mace’s Motives and Response
Mace, who is running for governor, has framed her motion as a stand against misconduct, stating, “As a survivor, I will always stand up and right the wrongs of others.” Mills has countered by accusing Mace of hypocrisy, citing her own ethics investigation over lodging reimbursement claims. He argues that if the House expels him, it should also consider expelling Mace.
Broader Context
The feud between Mace and Mills comes amid a broader ethics reckoning in the House, with three members resigning in recent weeks. Former Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) resigned last week amid sexual misconduct allegations, while Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) resigned ahead of an ethics sanctions hearing over allegations of stealing federal funds.
Political Implications
Mills has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump for re-election, while Mace has positioned herself as a conservative voice in the House. The expulsion motion, if successful, would set a precedent for removing members under ethics investigations, a move Mills warns could drag the House into “dangerous new territory.”