The House of Representatives recently rejected a bid to censure Democrat Rep. LaMonica McIver after she was caught assaulting federal law enforcement officials at an immigration detention facility in New Jersey. The vote ended with 215-207 against the measure, with five Republicans joining all Democrats in blocking the effort.
McIver, who faces charges of forcibly impeding and interfering with federal officers, has denied wrongdoing and claimed the censure attempt is politically motivated. She was involved in a May incident where she allegedly verbally and physically attacked ICE agents during an oversight visit to a Newark facility. If convicted, she could receive up to 17 years in prison.
The five Republicans who voted against censuring McIver are Reps. Don Bacon and Mike Flood of Nebraska, Dave Joyce and Mike Turner of Ohio, and David Valadao of California. Two other Republicans, Andrew Garbarino of New York and Nathaniel Moran of Texas, cast present votes. Rep. Clay Higgins, who initiated the censure effort, stated the decision to abandon the measure was left to the Ethics Committee.
McIver has refused to back down, asserting that Republicans cannot “make her run scared.” The outcome has drawn criticism from opponents who argue the vote undermined accountability for alleged misconduct by a sitting congresswoman.