WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace told NBC News on Wednesday that she plans to force a House vote next week on her resolution to release a report on sexual misconduct and harassment involving members of Congress.
The South Carolina congresswoman’s resolution would require the House Ethics Committee to release all reports of sexual misconduct or harassment involving members or their staff.
She made the point after multiple outlets, including NBC News, revealed that Rep. Tony Gonzalez, R-Texas, sent sexually explicit text messages to a former aide with whom he allegedly had an affair. The aide later committed suicide, and her husband’s attorney confirmed the authenticity of the text messages to NBC News.
Gonzalez last year denied having an affair with the aide and suggested he was the victim of blackmail by the widower and a victim of political attacks as he faces a competitive primary in Texas on March 3.
He has been defiantly telling reporters, “I will not resign.”
When asked on Tuesday whether the extramarital allegations were true, he responded: “What you’re seeing is not the whole truth, and there’s plenty of time to learn all of it.”
When asked about the text messages, Gonzalez did not respond, instead saying he would not resign.
Mace said she has been in contact with lawmakers about her resolution and that she needs to make some adjustments before filing it as a “privilege.” She plans to file the motion on March 4.
Once she does, House Republican leadership will have two days of legislation before a full-house vote can be scheduled. That could be a vote on the Mace resolution itself — which would have members publicly release reports of sexual harassment and assault involving colleagues — or another vote to shelve the legislation or send it to committee.
Mace expressed doubts that enough lawmakers would vote for her resolution.
“When are we going to start policing our own police? We haven’t done that yet because both sides are protecting each other from embarrassment,” she said.
NBC News previously reported that the Office of Congressional Conduct, a nonpartisan independent agency, has conducted and completed an investigation into Gonzalez. Its findings are expected to be presented to the House Ethics Committee next week. It’s unclear whether the House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into Gonzalez’s allegations.
Mace called on Gonzalez to resign, joining a handful of other House Republicans — many of whom are Republican women — in doing so.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., told reporters as she left the Capitol on Wednesday that Gonzalez was a “disgusting pig.” She added that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, “should do something about this.”
Johnson, who is currently running a narrow race against voters, called the allegations “serious” but said Gonzalez had a responsibility to address the issue to voters.
Meanwhile, Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said resigning “would be the stupidest thing he has ever done” when asked by NBC News about calls to resign.
“Does it look good? No. I don’t like the look of it,” Niles said. “He’s got a problem here. Don’t get me wrong, it’s bad, but I’m definitely not resigning right now.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., one of those backing Mace’s efforts, said Tuesday: “I don’t think he brings honor to the House, and if I had the votes tomorrow, I would kick him out of office.”
Luna also took aim at a congressional fund that lawmakers can tap to respond to sexual harassment or workplace discrimination claims under the Congressional Accountability Act.
She wrote on The
Mace told NBC News she “agrees” with deporting Gonzalez, but said: “My problem is, we’re not doing it for everyone.”
“It’s a good old boys’ club that women who come to work on Capitol Hill need to be treated with respect, whether you’re a member of Congress or a woman, or a female staff member,” she said. “We all deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and professionalism, not quid pro quo or sexual advances. You can’t do that and we must police ourselves to restore trust in institutions.”
Mace has shared personal stories about being sexually assaulted and was one of the Republicans who helped force the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s documents.
Last year, Mace tried to force a vote to censure another Republican — Florida Rep. Cory Mills — who has been accused of inappropriate behavior toward women.
Mills allegedly threatened to release sexually explicit videos and images of his ex-girlfriend, according to a police report obtained by NBC News. At Mills’ request, a federal judge issued a restraining order against Mills. Mills has denied wrongdoing and the speaker has backed him up.
Mace’s resolution against Mills failed, but eight Republicans voted in favor; six of them women.
Some Republican women in the conference were deeply frustrated by Johnson’s handling of the allegations against some male lawmakers.
“We keep everything under wraps,” Mays told NBC’s Tom Llamas on Tuesday night. “I understand due process and all that, but at some point, people have to be held accountable.”
“Everyone on Capitol Hill has known that this has been going on for months,” she said of Gonzalez’s allegations, “but no action has been taken.”
This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com