Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for conduct that reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives for colluding with convicted felony sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 888
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Failed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-18: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-21T18:58:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution (H. Res. 888) aims to formally censure and condemn Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) for allegedly coordinating with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a February 2019 congressional hearing. It seeks to remove her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, citing conduct that discredits the House of Representatives and raises concerns about her judgment and integrity.
Key Provisions
- Censure and Condemnation: The House censures Plaskett for inappropriate real-time coordination with Epstein, including receiving coaching on questioning and a congratulatory message ("Good work") during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing involving testimony from Michael Cohen.
- Ethics Investigation: Directs the House Committee on Ethics to investigate the full extent of Plaskett's ties to Epstein, including any potential improprieties in her political, personal, and professional connections post his 2008 conviction.
- Committee Removal: Immediately removes Plaskett from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
The resolution includes extensive "Whereas" clauses detailing Epstein's criminal history (e.g., 2008 guilty plea for procuring a minor for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute, serving 13 months; 2019 charges for sex trafficking minors; death in custody) and contrasting it with Plaskett's background as a former Department of Justice official and her public image as a defender of justice.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a House resolution, not a statute, so it does not amend federal law. Instead, it exercises the House's internal authority to discipline members and assign committee roles. It introduces no new legal requirements but enforces House rules on member conduct by removing Plaskett from a key committee position, which could alter committee membership and operations for the 119th Congress.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies and Congress: Could prompt a broader Ethics Committee probe, potentially leading to further disciplinary actions or reforms in how members interact during hearings. It may affect the Intelligence Committee's composition, influencing oversight of national security matters.
- On Citizens: Erodes public trust in Congress by highlighting alleged unethical associations, particularly involving a high-profile sex offender, and underscores concerns about partisan use of official proceedings.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though Epstein's "deeply concerning international associations" (as noted) and Plaskett's Intelligence Committee role could indirectly raise questions about U.S. intelligence handling if her removal disrupts committee work.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Delegate Stacey Plaskett: Directly censured, removed from committee, and subject to investigation, potentially damaging her reputation and career.
- House Members and Committees: Sponsors (e.g., Reps. Norman, Harris, Roy) and other Republicans may gain political leverage; Democrats and the Intelligence Committee face operational changes and partisan scrutiny.
- Public and Victims' Advocates: Affects perceptions of congressional accountability, especially regarding Epstein's victims (e.g., confirmed minors in FBI reports).
- House Committee on Ethics: Tasked with expanded investigative duties.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on House rules allowing censure (a formal reprimand without legal penalties) and committee removal. Any Ethics findings could lead to further actions, but the resolution itself is not enforceable in courts.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, granting each House authority to "punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour" and determine internal rules, including committee assignments.
- Political: Highlights partisan divides, as it accuses Plaskett of using Epstein's input for "partisan attacks" (e.g., against former President Trump via Cohen's testimony). It could intensify debates on member ethics and fitness for sensitive roles like intelligence oversight, potentially fueling broader discussions on transparency in congressional proceedings.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (21)
Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-18: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-11-18: On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 214, 3 Present (Roll no. 297). (Roll call 297)
- 2025-11-18: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 214, 3 Present (Roll no. 297). (Roll call 297)
- 2025-11-18: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4761-4762)
- 2025-11-18: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 888, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Raskin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- 2025-11-18: The previous question was ordered without objection.
- 2025-11-18: Considered as unfinished business.
- 2025-11-18: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 888.
- 2025-11-18: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-11-18: On motion to refer Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 213 - 214 (Roll no. 293). (Roll call 293)
- 2025-11-18: The previous question on the motion to refer was ordered without objection.
- 2025-11-18: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Clark (MA) motion to refer H. Res. 888.
- 2025-11-18: Ms. Clark (MA) moved to refer to Ethics. (CR H4738)
- 2025-11-18: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H4737-4745; text: CR H4737-4738)
- 2025-11-18: QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE - Mr. Norman rose to a question of the privileges of the House and offered the resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution did constitute a question of the privileges of the House.
Bill Versions
- Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett and removing her from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for conduct that reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives for colluding with convicted felony sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing. — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (4 pages)