The bipartisan House Ethics Committee has initiated a probe into allegations involving South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace. This follows a referral from the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) which was submitted late last year. The committee has until March 2 to determine its course of action regarding the investigation.

Specific details regarding the allegations have not been disclosed by the panel. However, in response to inquiries about the committee's plans, a spokesperson for Rep. Mace released a letter from the congresswoman's attorney addressing questions related to her "lodging expenses and reimbursement practices."

William Sullivan Jr., representing Mace and a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, criticized the OCC's handling of the complaints. Sullivan highlighted concerns over the credibility of the sources, suggesting that the accusations might have been driven by personal vendettas. He pointed out that the OCC did not clarify whether individuals associated with Mace’s ex-fiancé, who could potentially bear ill will, were involved in the complaints. Sullivan's letter emphasized that the referral "appears to rely heavily on unverified materials originating from individuals with personal or adversarial motives."

Further complicating matters, Mace's office referenced a statement from November where the congresswoman asserted that the OCC's investigation was an act of retribution. She has staunchly denied any wrongdoing connected to the claims.

This is not Mace's first encounter with ethics discussions in Congress. She previously led an attempt to censure Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills over separate ethical concerns. The motion, however, did not succeed and was marked by a contentious confrontation between Mace and Mills on the House floor.

As the deadline approaches for the Ethics Committee to outline its investigative strategy, all eyes will be on how this inquiry might impact Rep. Mace's career and the broader political dynamics within the House. The outcome could have significant implications, not only for Mace but also for the standards of accountability and ethics enforcement in Congress.