A Republican attempt to formally reprimand Del. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands collapsed in the House on Tuesday, ending a tense debate sparked by newly released court records connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
The resolution, introduced by members of the House Freedom Caucus, sought to censure Plaskett and remove her from the House Intelligence Committee. Supporters of the measure pointed to documents from a 2016 civil case that included her phone number and old text exchanges with Epstein, arguing that the disclosures required congressional action.
Plaskett, however, rejected any suggestion of misconduct. She explained that the communications took place between 2005 and 2007, when she was still early in her legal career. According to her statement, she contacted Epstein while exploring potential donors and mentors for a community arts initiative in the Virgin Islands. She emphasized that she had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities at the time and expressed regret for any past association.
The vote ultimately failed after several Republicans broke ranks and joined Democrats to block the measure. The defeat shields Plaskett from censure and preserves her position on the influential Intelligence Committee.
The episode comes amid a widening political battle in Washington as the recent release of Epstein-related documents renews scrutiny of numerous public officials, business leaders, and cultural figures. While no allegations of wrongdoing have been directed at Plaskett, the debate underscores how the Epstein case continues to reverberate across U.S. politics years after his death.
