House Ethics chair opposes push to release sexual harassment reports
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Rep. Nancy Mace outside the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) is opposing Rep. Nancy Mace's (R-S.C.) resolution to publicly release the panel's reports on congressional sexual harassment investigations, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Mace's push comes as Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) is facing mounting backlash over allegations that he had an affair with a former staffer before she died by suicide. Gonzales has denied having the affair.
- Guest told Axios on Wednesday that Mace's proposal would be "detrimental" to the committee's investigative process, although he added that he could support a version of the legislation allowing public release after an investigation concludes.
- Mace, meanwhile, said in a video posted Tuesday night: "The reason that no one is ever held accountable here in Congress for their transgressions is because both sides protect the other."
Zoom in: Mace's resolution would direct the Ethics Committee to preserve and publicly release, within 60 days of adoption, all reports tied to investigations into members accused of sexually harassing staff or engaging in sexual relationships with staffers. Victims' personally identifiable information would be redacted.
- The committee is currently awaiting a report from the Office of Congressional Conduct related to Gonzales. Under OCC rules, that report cannot be transmitted until after his March 3 primary election.
- OCC reports must be made public within 45 days of referral to the Ethics Committee, unless the panel votes to extend the deadline by another 45 days. The committee could also move to dismiss the matter.
- The Ethics Committee's investigations have led to significant consequences for lawmakers in recent years.
What they're saying: "That would be something that would impede our ability to conduct a full, thorough investigation," Guest told Axios Wednesday of Mace's bill, warning that rolling out public disclosures mid-investigation could "hamper" fact-finding.
- Guest said he has not yet spoken with Mace about the proposal.
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who backs the resolution, told Axios: "The fact that taxpayer dollars are being used to basically pay off people's sexual harassment or sexual assault lawsuits is disgusting," referencing an alleged fund that she claims — without providing evidence — has been used to "pay people off."
- "Tony Gonzales showed us what is happening in Congress. But he is not the only one. The American people deserve answers. Staff deserve answers. Women deserve answers. No more protection for predators in Congress," Mace said in a statement.
Luna, Mace, and a handful of other GOP lawmakers have called on Gonzales to resign.
- Gonzales' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.
What's next: Mace plans to offer the resolution as privileged, which would force a vote on the House floor.
- GOP leadership has not signaled whether it supports the measure, and Luna predicted it is unlikely to pass.
