The House Ethics Committee has opened an investigation into Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) following a referral from the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), which found “substantial reason to believe” that the congresswoman engaged in improper reimbursement practices related to her Washington, D.C. lodging expenses.
The probe centers on allegations that Mace sought and received reimbursements under a congressional program designed to help defray housing costs for lawmakers maintaining residences in the capital.
According to the OCC’s report, released March 2, 2026, Mace received approximately $9,500 in excess payments between January 2023 and May 2024, exceeding the actual costs documented for her D.C. property.
The OCC’s review of invoices and other records led all six members of its board to unanimously recommend further investigation by the Ethics Committee.
The referral notes that Mace declined to be interviewed by the OCC, which prevented verification of certain financial obligations tied to the property. The OCC suggested the Ethics Committee consider issuing subpoenas to gather additional information.
Mace’s Response and Context
Through her attorney, William Sullivan, Mace disputed the findings, describing the OCC report as “fundamentally flawed in several significant respects.” Sullivan stated that the narrative “appears to incorporate unverified assertions and materials that may have originated from, or been influenced by, Rep. Mace’s former fiance, Brendan Patrick Bryant.”
He added that Mace “is confident that the Committee will carefully evaluate the origins and credibility of the information at issue and will recognize the significant deficiencies that undermine the Referral Report’s persuasive value.”
Sullivan also indicated that Mace “remains available to provide any additional information that may assist in its review.”
The timing of the announcement came shortly after Mace introduced a resolution calling for the House Ethics Committee to preserve and publicly release records related to lawmakers accused of s-xual misconduct, with a planned floor vote on the measure set for the following Wednesday.
The matter traces back to a referral received by the Ethics Committee on December 2, 2025. On January 16, 2026, the committee extended its preliminary review under House rules. On March 2, 2026, the chairman and ranking member announced the decision to proceed with a formal investigation under Committee Rule 18(a). The committee also published Mace’s submission provided on December 17, 2025.
Broader Details
The congressional reimbursement program allows members to claim up to a set maximum for lodging and related expenses when maintaining a second residence in Washington. Violations could potentially involve House rules or federal law concerning the use of taxpayer funds.
The Ethics Committee has not released further details on the scope or timeline of its review, and investigations of this nature are typically conducted confidentially until a resolution or public report is issued.
Mace, who represents South Carolina’s 1st District and has been a vocal figure in Congress, has not issued additional public comments beyond her attorney’s statement as of the article’s publication. The investigation remains in its early stages.
