The fate of the House Ethics Committee’s report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz is uncertain after Republicans on the committee blocked its release on Wednesday, but two resolutions could allow a path for its release.
Reps. Sean Casten (D-IL) and Steve Cohen (D-TN) filed two separate resolutions to try to force the committee to release the report. Until Gaetz’s sudden resignation upon being nominated for the attorney general post under President-elect Donald Trump, the committee was investigating Gaetz for allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct, used illicit drugs, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, and converted campaign funds to personal use, among other actions.
“The allegations against Matt Gaetz are serious,” Casten said in a statement. “They are credible. The House Ethics Committee has spent years conducting a thorough investigation to get to the bottom of it. This information must be made available for the Senate to provide its constitutionally required advice and consent.”
“As I understand it, the report would be eye-opening and extremely damaging, and it should be released to the American public. They have a right to see it,” Cohen said on the House floor.
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Because Cohen filed the motion as a privileged resolution, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) must schedule a vote within two legislative days. However, lawmakers are headed home for Thanksgiving recess after Thursday, so they may not consider the matter until they return to Washington, D.C., after the holiday.
The measure could be shot down by Republican leaders by introducing a motion to table, which would dismiss it entirely. If that avenue fails, however, the resolution would be voted on by the entire House. With the current House makeup, only four Republicans would need to join every Democrat in supporting the measure.