Analyses / Public Summary / 119 · HRES 888 Public Summary

119-HRES-888 Journalist Public Summary

119 · HRES 888 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.

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A GOP-led resolution to censure Delegate Stacey Plaskett over alleged 2019 texts with Jeffrey Epstein failed in the House on Nov. 18, 2025 (209–214, 3 present); it would have also removed her from the Intelligence Committee and sought an ethics probe. [1]U.S. House of Representatives — Office of the Clerk — Roll Call 297 (On agreein…[2]Library of Congress — Congress.gov — H.Res.888 (119th): Censuring and condemnin…

Analyzed as
Journalist
Published
19 Nov 2025
Updated
19 Nov 2025
Tags
US Congress · Public Summary · Censure
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01 · Section

Headline Summary

House Republicans moved to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett over alleged text messages with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 hearing, but the measure failed 209–214, so no censure or committee removal occurred. [1]U.S. House of Representatives — Office of the Clerk — Roll Call 297 (On agreein…

02 · Section

What It Does

The resolution sought to formally censure Plaskett, remove her from the House Intelligence Committee, and direct the Ethics Committee to investigate her ties to Epstein. The push stemmed from claims she coordinated questions with Epstein via text during a February 2019 oversight hearing. [2]Library of Congress — Congress.gov — H.Res.888 (119th): Censuring and condemnin…[3]UPI — UPI — House blocks censure of Stacey Plaskett over Epstein texts

03 · Section

Who’s For It

  • Primary sponsors/backers: House Republicans led by Rep. Ralph Norman (R‑SC). They argued Epstein-related contacts showed poor judgment and warranted formal censure and removal from the Intelligence panel. [2]Library of Congress — Congress.gov — H.Res.888 (119th): Censuring and condemnin…[3]UPI — UPI — House blocks censure of Stacey Plaskett over Epstein texts
  • Supporters pointed to reported text messages—surfacing from Epstein-related records—as evidence that Epstein influenced her questioning during the 2019 hearing. [3]UPI — UPI — House blocks censure of Stacey Plaskett over Epstein texts
04 · Section

Who’s Against It

  • All Democrats who voted opposed the resolution; a few Republicans voted no or present. Final tally: 209 yeas, 214 nays, 3 present. [1]U.S. House of Representatives — Office of the Clerk — Roll Call 297 (On agreein…
  • Opponents called the move political and said it lacked due process; Plaskett denied receiving guidance from Epstein and said he was a constituent she contacted for information. [3]UPI — UPI — House blocks censure of Stacey Plaskett over Epstein texts
05 · Section

What’s Next

Because the resolution failed on Nov. 18, 2025, Plaskett remains uncensured and on the Intelligence Committee; the separate motion to refer the matter to Ethics also failed (213–214). Any further action would require a new resolution or separate Ethics process. [1]U.S. House of Representatives — Office of the Clerk — Roll Call 297 (On agreein…[4]Library of Congress — Congress.gov — House Roll Call Vote 293 (Motion to Refer…

Sources cited
  1. [1] Office of the Clerk — Roll Call 297 (On agreeing to H.Res. 888) U.S. House of Representatives
  2. [2] Congress.gov — H.Res.888 (119th): Censuring and condemning Delegate Stacey Plaskett... Library of Congress
  3. [3] UPI — House blocks censure of Stacey Plaskett over Epstein texts UPI
  4. [4] Congress.gov — House Roll Call Vote 293 (Motion to Refer H.Res. 888) Library of Congress

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