The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into allegations that Rep. Nancy Mace overcharged a congressional program intended to help defray housing costs for lawmakers who have residences in Washington.
Mace, a South Carolina Republican now in her third House term, denies the allegations, decrying a “partisan” process and saying officials had “ignored” her rebuttal evidence.
The Office of Congressional Conduct, after an investigation, said it believes that “there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Mace engaged in improper reimbursement practices,” according to a report released Monday. The office sent its findings to the Ethics panel for review.
Mace took part in a program that helps members of Congress defray the costs of their bifurcated existences between Washington and their home districts, subsidizing food, travel and lodging expenses. During 2023 and 2024, her second term in office, the report alleges Mace recouped about $9,500, “more than the true costs” for the Washington home she shared with her then-fiancé.
Noting that Mace “refused to interview” as part of its probe, the office said it “was unable to determine how or why Rep. Mace decided to seek the maximum allowable reimbursement when it exceeded her expenses incurred.”
Noting that Mace “refused to interview” as part of its probe, the office said it “was unable to determine how or why Rep. Mace decided to seek the maximum allowable reimbursement when it exceeded her expenses incurred.”
Despite that, attorney William Sullivan Jr. said the office declined to disclose if the former fiancé had been involved with the investigation. He said the referral to Ethics “appears to rely heavily on unverified materials originating from individuals with personal or adversarial motives.”
GOP Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, chairman of the Ethics Committee, said the referral about Mace was received in December. The committee’s decision to investigate is not evidence of wrongdoing, and Guest pointed out that the committee wouldn’t make further comment until it completes an investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.