In a moment that laid bare the deep divisions—and enduring discomfort—surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s shadow over American politics, the House of Representatives narrowly rejected a motion Tuesday to censure Democratic Delegate Stacey Plaskett for her text message exchanges with the late convicted sex offender during a 2019 congressional hearing.
The vote, 214–209, fell along mostly partisan lines, with three Republicans—Reps. Don Bacon (NE), Lance Gooden (TX), and Dave Joyce (OH)—breaking ranks to side with Democrats and sink the motion. The resolution would have both reprimanded Plaskett and stripped her of her coveted seat on the House Intelligence Committee, a post that provides access to some of the most sensitive national security information in the government.
Crockett: Folks who also took money from somebody named Jeffrey Epstein, as I had my team dig in very quickly, Mitt Romney. The NRCC. Lee Zeldin. George Bush. McCain-Palin. pic.twitter.com/CdwuSacQpb
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 18, 2025
The failed censure came just hours after a near-unanimous House and Senate vote to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compels the Department of Justice to release more documentation related to Epstein’s vast network, finances, and ties to political elites. That legislation now heads to President Trump’s desk, where he has vowed to sign it. Trump, notably, has dismissed the broader Epstein scandal as a “Democratic hoax”—even as his administration supports full declassification.
But Tuesday’s drama centered not on old photos or theories, but on documented, time-stamped messages between Epstein and a sitting member of Congress during a nationally televised hearing.
The texts—released as part of the court-ordered document dump from Epstein’s estate—show Epstein engaging with Plaskett in real time during Michael Cohen’s February 2019 testimony before the House Oversight Committee. Epstein commented on Cohen’s reference to Rhona Graff, Trump’s longtime executive assistant, calling her the “keeper of the secrets.” Moments later, a message from the recipient—presumed to be Plaskett—reads: “Quick I’m up next,” followed by her entering the questioning rotation. Epstein then responds: “Good work.”
BREAKING: Notable High-IQ Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett alleges that Jeffrey Epstein is still alive and donated to Lee Zeldin in 2020, contrary to media reports that he died in 2019. https://t.co/tg173qD34T pic.twitter.com/mkPZitVFEv
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) November 19, 2025
The messages may not establish criminal conduct, but they do show an unmistakable line of communication between a convicted sex offender and a lawmaker preparing questions in an official proceeding.
Plaskett addressed the House floor before the vote, acknowledging the messages but insisting they were innocent. She described Epstein as a constituent—he maintained property in the U.S. Virgin Islands—and framed the texts as part of standard information-gathering. She also claimed that she was unaware at the time of any renewed federal investigation into Epstein, although he had been a registered sex offender since 2008.
Republicans weren’t persuaded. “No one who turns to a convicted predator for input on how to conduct official business… should sit on the Intelligence Committee,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who introduced the censure. “This is about restoring trust in an institution that desperately needs it.”
Yet even among Republicans, there was hesitation—likely fueled by the precedent such a censure would set. Would communication alone, without proven misconduct, warrant committee removal? Would every legislator with ties to Epstein now face scrutiny? The line is increasingly blurred.
