House members on Thursday voted against releasing the Ethics Committee’s report on the long-running and exhaustive investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a close aide and confidant of President-elect Donald Trump. Ta.
Democrats forced a vote, but Republicans responded by voting to send the matter back to the Ethics Commission, ending the fight over the release of the report for now. It remains unclear whether the report will be made public.
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The vote comes shortly after the bipartisan Ethics Committee met behind closed doors to discuss whether to release a report on Gates’ alleged illegal drug use and sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl. It was done. This is the second time in recent months. House investigation and other allegations.
However, after two and a half hours, the commission had not released its report, saying in a statement that it “continues to discuss this matter.” Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Mississippi) told reporters the committee would meet again before the end of the year.
Asked whether the committee might still vote in favor of releasing the report, Guest said: “I would not speculate on what action the committee might take in the future.” .
Other panel members from both parties left the meeting without comment. The committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, did not attend the meeting and her office did not comment.
Gaetz has denied the allegations, leading some Senate Republicans to say behind closed doors that they would not vote to confirm Gaetz as Trump’s attorney general.
On November 20, the day before Thanksgiving, the 10-member Ethics Committee reached an impasse over the release of its report on Gates. On November 13, the same day that Gates resigned from Congress, President Trump announced his nomination to lead the Justice Department.
But Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration on Nov. 21, and Guest said at the time that “the discussion should end” about releasing the report.
With no action from the Ethics Committee, the full House took action Thursday night, putting all members on the record. Two Democrats, Rep. Sean Kasten of Illinois and Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, pushed for the vote and introduced a resolution focused on the Gaetz report.
Mr. Kasten’s resolution would have directed the committee to make its report available to the public, whereas Mr. Cohen’s resolution would have forced the committee to preserve and release records of its review of Mr. Gaetz. The resolution was filed as a “privilege” on Tuesday, so it needed to be voted on within two legislative days.
But Republicans blocked the resolution by voting to send it to the Ethics Commission.
Democrats had asked for the report to be made public because Gaetz mentioned his intention to run for Florida governor in 2026 and other potential roles for President Trump, but that role is unclear. Senate approval may not be required.
However, Republicans did not want the report to be made public, arguing that the Ethics Committee only has jurisdiction over current members and does not have jurisdiction over former members.
House Democrats attempted something similar in September 1996, pressuring the Ethics Committee to release an outside attorney’s report on its investigation into then-Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. However, the House of Representatives rejected the resolution in a floor vote.
Democrats are now pushing back against Republican claims that the Ethics Committee cannot release its report on recently resigned lawmakers. Kasten’s resolution cited multiple instances in which the Ethics Commission released reports on former members of Congress.
For example, on October 5, 1987, Congressman Bill Bonner (D-Tenn.) resigned to become mayor of Nashville. The Ethics Commission released its first staff report in December investigating allegations that Bonner misused campaign funds, failed to disclose gifts and accepted bribes.
And in 2006, after Florida Republican Rep. Mark Foley resigned from Congress over revelations that he had sent explicit electronic messages to at least a teenage former member of Congress, the Ethics Committee released a report on the issue. .
“Given the serious nature of the allegations against Congressman Gaetz, the House Ethics Committee’s failure to release its investigative report undermines the committee’s credibility, safety, and dignity,” Kasten’s resolution said. ” states. and the integrity of the House’s legislative process. ”
