The House Ethics Committee disclosed Monday that it has issued more than 20 subpoenas and contacted dozens of witnesses as part of its investigation into Representative Cory Mills, a Florida Republican, over allegations of dating violence and campaign finance violations. The update, released in a joint statement by Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), marks a rare public step for the historically secretive panel.
The committee revealed that its investigatory subcommittee expects to receive additional documents and testimony in the coming weeks. While the Ethics Committee typically avoids public updates, the shift reflects growing scrutiny of sexual misconduct allegations on Capitol Hill, which have already forced two lawmakers out of Congress in recent months.
Mills faces an expulsion resolution filed by Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) on April 20, amid calls from both parties for his resignation. The pressure intensified after Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) resigned last month amid separate accusations of sexual misconduct and ethics violations. A broader push to tighten ethics enforcement has also drawn attention to Mills's case, as noted in a recent report on the House ethics storm.
At the center of the investigation is a February 2025 incident in which a woman initially told police she was assaulted by Mills, only to later recant. Mills was not charged. However, body camera footage obtained by The Washington Post showed the woman displaying bruises on her arms and marks on her face to a responding officer. The Ethics Committee acknowledged the police decision not to charge Mills, but stressed that “a decision not to bring charges is not a finding of innocence or ‘no wrongdoing.’”
Another aspect of the probe involves a court-issued injunction from October 2025 that barred Mills from contacting a woman, including via social media, and required him to stay at least 500 feet from her home and workplace. The committee said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding that order.
In addition to the dating violence allegations, the committee is examining potential campaign finance law violations. Mills has denied any wrongdoing, but the investigation is proceeding under the committee’s mandate to ensure due process while prioritizing witness confidentiality and safety. The panel has pledged to release its findings publicly in accordance with House rules.
The case has become a flashpoint in broader debates about ethics enforcement in Congress. A recent Pew poll found that 56% of Americans believe federal ethics have declined under President Trump’s second term, a sentiment that may amplify calls for action against Mills. Meanwhile, the Florida Republican’s political future remains uncertain as the Ethics Committee continues its work.
