House Republicans Twice Block Release Of Gaetz Ethics Report
On Thursday, House Republicans moved to block the release of a House Ethics Committee report concerning former Rep. Matt Gaetz, effectively sidelining allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use that had complicated his nomination as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general.
In two votes that fell largely along party lines—206-198 and 204-198—the House decided to return the matter to the Ethics Committee. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) was the only Republican to side with Democrats in calling for the report’s release, according to the New York Post.
Two Democratic representatives, Sean Casten of Illinois and Steve Cohen of Tennessee, introduced resolutions earlier in the week demanding action on the report. Casten’s resolution sought the release of the findings, while Cohen’s went further, urging both the release and preservation of all relevant documents.
“Resigning from Congress should not allow Members to evade accountability for allegations as serious as those faced by Matt Gaetz,” Casten argued. “The Ethics Committee has historically released reports on former Members.”
Interest in the report surged last month after President-elect Trump nominated Gaetz for attorney general, a decision met with significant bipartisan resistance. Gaetz later withdrew from consideration, citing the likelihood of a contentious Senate confirmation process. Trump subsequently nominated Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, as his new choice for the role.
Before the Thanksgiving recess, the Ethics Committee met to vote on the report’s potential release. Despite objections from Democratic members of the bipartisan panel, the committee chose not to make the findings public.
Though the specifics of the report remain undisclosed, committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and ranking member Susan Wild (D-Pa.) strongly hinted that its release was under consideration.
Ahead of Thursday’s vote on Casten’s resolution, the Ethics Committee reconvened but again declined to publish the report or share further details about the meeting, The Post reported.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been vocal in opposing the release of the report, particularly after Gaetz stepped down from consideration for the attorney general position. “The ethics committee’s jurisdiction is for sitting members of Congress,” Johnson told reporters, adding that the body does not typically investigate or publish findings about individuals no longer serving in Congress.
The allegations against Gaetz include claims that he paid for sex with two women and engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old minor over seven years ago. Attorneys for the accusers have stated that witnesses provided evidence to the Ethics Committee, including claims that Gaetz made Venmo payments tied to sexual encounters.
One accuser reportedly alleged that Gaetz broke off contact with the minor upon learning her age and resumed contact only after she turned 18. Joel Leppard, an attorney representing two accusers who were adults at the time, noted that a witness corroborated this version of events, as reported by ABC News.
The Justice Department under President Joe Biden previously investigated the claims against Gaetz but ultimately concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
Despite the controversy, Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. His past actions in Congress, including spearheading efforts to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have drawn ire from members of both parties.
With the Ethics Committee report now effectively shelved, questions remain about the precedent set by withholding such information, especially in light of the serious nature of the allegations.