Democratic Representative Yvette Clarke of New York has moved to spur a vote to censure Republican Representative Cory Mills of Florida for reasons including allegations of harassment, domestic assault, and stolen valor in retaliation for Republicans attempting the same tactics against a House Democrat.
“The United States Congress should strive to represent the best this nation has to offer,” Clarke said in a statement to Newsweek on Wednesday afternoon. “Given the depth, severity and disturbing nature of the many allegations against Congressman Cory Mills, it is overwhelmingly clear that he falls far short of that aspiration.
“While congressional Republicans and the Trump administration continue their desperate efforts to criminalize members of our party for conducting congressional oversight just to run cover for the criminals in their own, and while the Trump corrupted courts continue their refusal to ensure Mr. Mills is responsible for his misconduct, my Democratic colleagues and I will not stand by and pretend his character is worthy of the Congress.”
Newsweek reached out to Mills’ office via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Efforts put forward by GOP Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana to censure Representative LaMonica McIver were stymied on Wednesday when five Republican House members joined their Democratic colleagues in a vote to table a censure resolution, by a 215-207 vote. The vote, which, if successful, would have also removed the New Jersey Democrat from the Homeland Security Committee, was related to her purported actions at an immigration detention facility earlier this summer.
Clarke is attempting to censure Mills in retaliation, based on allegations that she claims are not indicative of a U.S. lawmaker—including the North Florida conservative being accused of committing assault, an allegation that has since been withdrawn and referred to by Mills as “false and misleading.”
What To Know
“Representative Cory Mills has on several occasions conducted himself in a manner that reflects discredit upon the House of Representatives,” Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said on the House floor on Wednesday.
Allegations she brought up include Washington, D.C., police being called to investigate and resolve a “private matter” at Mills’ residence in February of this year for assault.
Local police confirmed that Mills was being investigated for allegedly assaulting a 27-year-old woman, Sarah Raviani, which took place at Mills’ residence.
“The 27-year-old woman accused her significant other for over a year of having grabbed her, shoved her and pushed her out the door, and also said the woman involved showed the officers bruises on her arm, which appeared fresh,” Clarke said Wednesday.
But Raviani later recanted her allegations and dubbed it a misunderstanding. Mills also denied there was a physical altercation and has maintained his innocence in the matter.
“Recently, the media publicized false accusations about me related to an alleged personal incident. While this is a private issue, it has unfortunately been turned into something of a salacious attack,” Mills said in late August, according to The Floridian.
“I want to make it clear that I have been separated for many years and working through divorce proceedings for the last two years. My separation and ongoing divorce proceedings are also a private matter and should not be politicized.”
The Metropolitan Police Department previously said in a statement it had “conducted an investigation and presented the case to the United States Attorney’s Office.” According to an email shared with The Hill, an officer told Mills’ legal counsel that an investigation into the incident had been closed.
Clarke’s censure attempt also mentioned an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that Mills benefited from federal contracts and was not truthful in financial disclosures and contributions. Mills has denied wrongdoing in the contracting matter, according to Politico.
Mills has also been accused in the past of stolen valor, notably claiming that he received a Bronze Star. He’s also denied this allegation.
What People Are Saying
Representative Yvette Clarke on X: “If one thing has become clear lately, it’s that Republicans will fight harder and more desperately to protect an abuser than just about anyone. The severe allegations against Mr. Cory Mills are numerous. They are chilling. And they demand his immediate censure.”
Representative Cory Mills to The Floridian: “I would like to thank the Metro Police Department for their diligent investigation into false and misleading accusations made against me by the media, ensuring that both truth and justice prevailed.”
What Happens Next
Clarke told Newsweek that amid reports the censure attempt may be pulled after enough Republicans voted to table the censure against McIver, options remain on the table.
“[Mills’] victims deserve justice, and his constituents deserve better,” Clarke said. “As we evaluate the best possible path towards advancing our censure on the House Floor and holding Mr. Mills accountable for his documented history of abuse, impropriety and behavior that is unbecoming of a member of Congress, we will keep all legislative and parliamentary options on the table. We will never surrender our moral clarity for any abuser’s convenience.”
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