Key Takeaways
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R‑SC) introduced a resolution to expel Rep. Cory Mills (R‑FL) from Congress, citing allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence plus campaign‑finance violations.
- The House Ethics Committee is already reviewing Mills; Mace previously sought censure and committee removal, but both parties blocked those efforts.
- Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑LA) warned against intra‑party expulsions, emphasizing that the Ethics Committee’s due‑process process should run its course.
- Mills denies wrongdoing, has welcomed a vote on the expulsion measure, and characterizes the push as a partisan “tit‑for‑tat.”
- Mills faces additional legal scrutiny: a D.C. police investigation into an alleged assault (February 2025) and a Florida restraining order for dating violence (October 2024).
- The Ethics Committee will also rule on Rep. Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick (D‑FL), who was found guilty of 25 ethics violations related to alleged misuse of $5 million in federal relief funds; her sanction could include expulsion.
- Both Mills and Cherfilus‑McCormick maintain their innocence and intend to fight the allegations in congressional and federal proceedings.
Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, announced on Monday evening that she had filed a resolution seeking the expulsion of fellow Republican Representative Cory Mills of Florida from the U.S. House of Representatives. The move follows an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into Mills over accusations of “sexual misconduct and/or dating violence” as well as possible campaign‑finance violations. Mills has publicly denied any wrongdoing.
Mace’s resolution escalates what had previously been a push to censure Mills and strip him of his committee assignments. In November she offered a censure measure, which the House voted to refer to the Ethics Committee for further review. Both parties, however, blocked attempts to censure or remove Mills from his committees, prompting Mace to pursue the more drastic step of expulsion. In a statement accompanying her announcement, Mace declared that “the swamp has protected Cory Mills for far too long and we are done letting it slide,” arguing that previous attempts to hold him accountable had been thwarted by partisan obstruction.
While some Democrats have also called for Mills’ removal, Mace’s initiative marks the first time a Republican colleague has formally sought his expulsion. She did not specify whether she would employ a procedural maneuver—such as a privileged motion—to force a swift floor vote on the resolution. The timing and tactics of any potential vote remain uncertain.
Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, responded to Mace’s move by cautioning against members of the same party pursuing expulsions of one another. He stressed that the House Ethics Committee exists precisely to provide due process for members facing allegations, and that he does not support bypassing that process. Johnson’s remarks underscore the leadership’s preference for letting the investigative body complete its work before any drastic disciplinary action is taken.
Mills reacted to Mace’s announcement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), posting that “Nancy thinks allegations and accusations is due process.” He also invited Mace to “call the vote forward,” suggesting he is prepared to face a floor vote on the expulsion measure. In prior interviews, Mills has dismissed comparisons to fellow lawmakers who have resigned amid similar scandals, noting that he is unmarried and has never received complaints from staff or interns regarding sexual harassment.
The Ethics Committee’s docket is currently busy. In addition to reviewing the Mills case, the panel is set to make a recommendation on Tuesday regarding Rep. Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick (D‑FL). A special bipartisan subcommittee found Cherfilus‑McCormick guilty of 25 ethics violations tied to allegations that she diverted roughly $5 million in federal COVID‑relief funds to her personal campaign. She has pleaded not guilty in the related federal case, maintaining her innocence and asserting she looks forward to vindicating herself in court. The committee’s recommendation could range from a formal reprimand to expulsion, depending on the severity deemed appropriate.
Mills’ own legal troubles extend beyond the congressional inquiry. In February 2025, Washington, D.C., police opened an investigation after a report of an alleged assault at an apartment building near a property linked to him. Mills denied any wrongdoing, and authorities said no charges were filed and he was not arrested. Earlier, in October 2024, a Florida judge issued a restraining order against Mills for “protection against dating violence” after his former girlfriend accused him of threatening and harassing her. These incidents have fed the narrative that Mills faces multiple, overlapping allegations of improper conduct.
The current situation highlights a broader tension within Congress between the desire for swift accountability and the institutional commitment to procedural fairness. While Mace and some of her colleagues argue that the Ethics Committee’s pace is insufficient and that expulsion is warranted, party leaders like Johnson warn that circumventing the established process could undermine member protections and set a concerning precedent. As the Ethics Committee prepares its findings on both Mills and Cherfilus‑McCormick, the House will soon confront whether to accept the committee’s recommendations, pursue alternative sanctions, or allow the matter to proceed to a floor vote on expulsion—an outcome that would mark a rare instance of a member being removed from Congress by their peers.