House Resolution Censure and Removes Delegate Plaskett from Intelligence Committee Over Epstein Coordination Allegations

This resolution is a formal, disciplinary action taken by the House of Representatives against Delegate Stacey Plaskett (Virgin Islands). It censures and condemns her—the strongest form of official reprimand short of expulsion—based on allegations that she coordinated her line of questioning with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a February 2019 congressional hearing.

The Censure: What Did the Bill Say Happened?

This resolution asserts that Delegate Plaskett inappropriately communicated with Epstein via text message in real-time during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing, specifically during Michael Cohen’s testimony. The resolution claims Epstein coached her on questions and congratulated her afterward. According to SEC. 1, this alleged coordination with a convicted felony sex offender “reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives.” For everyday people, this isn't just a slap on the wrist; a censure is a permanent mark on a member’s record, essentially the House saying, “We formally condemn your behavior.” It’s a very public declaration of misconduct.

Immediate Removal from a Key Committee

Beyond the formal condemnation, the resolution has an immediate and practical consequence: SEC. 2 removes Delegate Plaskett from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This is a critical committee dealing with national security secrets and intelligence oversight. The logic here is straightforward: if a member is deemed to have severe judgment issues or inappropriate associations—especially with someone like Epstein, who had concerning international ties—they are immediately unfit to serve on a committee dealing with the nation’s most sensitive information. For the public, this is important because it changes who has access to top-tier intelligence and who is involved in overseeing agencies like the CIA and NSA.

The Mandate for a Full Ethics Investigation

While the censure and removal are immediate punishments, the resolution doesn’t stop there. SEC. 1 directs the House Committee on Ethics to conduct a “full investigation” into the extent of Delegate Plaskett’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein to determine if any further improprieties occurred. This means the immediate disciplinary action is followed up by a formal, deep-dive inquiry. This two-part approach—immediate punishment followed by a mandatory investigation—shows the severity of the allegations. If the Ethics Committee finds further evidence, it could lead to even more severe consequences, like fines or further sanctions. The resolution essentially acts as both judge and jury for the initial punishment, then hands the case over to the formal investigators.

Real-World Implications: Political Tool or Necessary Accountability?

This resolution highlights a fundamental tension in Congress: when does accountability become political warfare? On one hand, the allegations—coordinating official congressional proceedings with a convicted sex offender—are serious enough to warrant immediate, severe action. If the evidence cited (documents released from Epstein’s estate) is accurate, the House is rightly upholding ethical standards, which benefits the public trust. On the other hand, a resolution like this is a powerful political tool. It’s an immediate, public condemnation that carries extreme negative connotations, and it’s being levied before the Ethics Committee investigation is complete. For busy people watching Congress, this action is a reminder that internal discipline is swift and severe when allegations involve high-profile criminals, but it also raises the question of whether the punishment is being used to target a member of the opposing party, regardless of the factual merits of the underlying claims. Either way, the Delegate loses her standing and her seat on a major committee, and the public is left to wait for the results of the mandated ethics inquiry.