The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Wednesday into Florida Congressman Cory Mills, an announcement that came amid a push for a censure vote against the embattled Republican.

The ethics panel said the probe will consider a variety of allegations, including whether Mills engaged in sexual misconduct or dating violence, violated campaign finance laws and improperly received gifts.

The move came after GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina said she would introduce a resolution to censure Mills and kick him off the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees.

“These allegations are far too serious to ignore,” Mace said in a statement. “A member of Congress accused of assaulting women, profiting off federal contracts from his seat, and inflating or falsifying his service record has no business anywhere near national-security committees.”

Mills, who represents Seminole County and parts of Volusia County, did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday night. He has denied wrongdoing in previous statements.

The Ethics Committee’s vote to establish an investigative subcommittee to examine Mills “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” according to the announcement.

In October, a North Florida judge issued a restraining order against the 45-year-old, two-term congressman after an ex-girlfriend accused him of threatening to release explicit images of her and harm her future romantic interests. That restraining order was sought by Lindsey Langston, a 26-year-old Florida state GOP committeewoman and winner of the 2024 Miss United States beauty pageant.

In February, D.C. police investigated assault allegations involving Mills and another woman. The case was closed with no charges filed after the woman publicly denied an assault had occurred.

A House ethics panel was already scrutinizing Mills’ business dealings and financial disclosure statements, including allegations that he benefited from federal contracts while serving in Congress. Mills is the co-founder of several defense contracting and security companies.

An Army veteran first elected in 2022, Mills has also been dogged by allegations that he misrepresented his service record.

Four Democrats have filed to run against Mills in next year’s election. He is also facing criticism from some Republicans, including two Republican congresswomen from Florida.

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna wrote in an X post that House leaders should not protect a Republican who is “having a lot of issues and should NOT seek re-election,” while U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack joined in criticizing “swampy” backroom talks aimed at protecting a GOP member “facing his own ethics issues.”

Specifically, the House ethics panel said it would probe whether Mills failed to properly disclose required information on filing statements, violated campaign finance laws, received special favors by virtue of his position, and improperly solicited or received gifts, including in connection with “privately sponsored officially-connected travel.”

The committee also said it would investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and dating violence, along with the potential misuse of congressional resources or status.

Such ethics probes can take months, if not years, to complete.

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