BY RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
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ELLIS COUNTY – In a vote last week, alongside not only disgraced Texas Republican lawmaker Tony Gonzales, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee following allegations of a sexual relationship with a former staffer who died by suicide in September 2025, but also Democratic U.S. Representatives Jasmine Crocket and Julie Johnson, Ellis County’s District 6th Congressional representative Jake Ellzey voted in such a way as to kill a resolution to preserve documents and investigative materials related to violations or alleged violations of sexual harassment rules.
The vote was bipartisan at 357-65 with the House vote referring Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s (R-SC) resolution to committee, which effectively killed the bill.
There were 175 Republicans and 182 Democrats voting to block the resolution.
Texas GOP runoff candidate for Attorney Chip Roy also voted against the resolution and took part in killing the bill.
Ellzey’s yes vote to refer to committee equaled opposing the release of these records under that resolution.
Mace forced a floor vote on her resolution directing the House Ethics Committee to make public all reports on allegations of congressional lawmakers, aides and the Capitol Police engaging in sexual misconduct or harassment.
The joint statement by the Republican and Democratic leaders of the committee said they believed moving the resolution along could “Chill victim cooperation and witness participation in ongoing and future investigations.”
Ellzey replied to The Ellis County Press with this comment regarding his vote, in direct opposition to what had been reported about the vote being killed.
“A politician seeking higher office introduced a resolution to release the stories of sexual harassment victims into the public domain without their consent,” he said.
“The House rejected that approach by a decisive 357–65 vote. Sending this matter back to committee ensures records will be appropriately reviewed and that the privacy of victims, witnesses, and the falsely accused is fully protected.”
According to a report, since 1997, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights has paid out more than $18.2 million in taxpayer funds to settle 291 cases of workplace disputes, including sexual harassment and race/age discrimination and employment dispute claims.
Often labeled a “sexual misconduct fund,” this amount covers various workplace complaints as part of the Congressional Accountability Act.
One report noted that roughly $300,000 in taxpayer funds was specifically identified for 13 claims related to sexual harassment or sex discrimination between 2003 and 2018.
Mace introduced the resolution in late February and said, “If you sexually harass someone in Congress you do not get to hide behind closed doors. Tony Gonzales showed us what is happening in Congress. But he is not the only one.”
Congresswoman Mace continued, “The American people deserve answers. Staff deserve answers. Women deserve answers. No more protection for predators in Congress. We are going to shine a light on every single one of them.”
