In a dramatic address on the House floor, Representative Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, accused her former fiancé and three other men of drugging and raping her alongside other women. Mace, who has hinted at a gubernatorial run, delivered a gripping speech filled with allegations of sexual predation and the exploitation of women, backed by her personal experiences as a survivor. She claimed that the accused men had recorded women and underage girls without consent, displaying their names and photographs in a way seldom seen in legislative discourse. Mace invoked the speech and debate clause of Congress, which shields lawmakers from legal repercussions while performing legislative duties, in making her accusations public. While she mentioned having evidence to support her claims, she refrained from providing any during her remarks. Following her speech, one of the accused, Patrick Bryant, vehemently denied Mace's allegations, emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with legal investigations. Mace's speech sparked significant attention not only for its serious content but also for its implications for her political trajectory and advocacy on women's rights issues.
