House Republicans were fuming Tuesday after their bid to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) collapsed, with several members accusing GOP leaders of cutting a quiet deal with Democrats to shield Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) from facing the same punishment.
Republicans initially held the line and blocked a move to table the censure against Plaskett. But hours later, the effort fell apart, as three GOP lawmakers voted against it, three voted “present,” and four skipped the vote altogether.
Democrats were ready to hit back if the Plaskett measure passed. Their plan was to force a mirror censure vote on Mills, who has faced allegations of stolen valor, financial misconduct, and domestic abuse. He denies all the accusations.