House Ethics Committee to meet Wednesday after postponing Gaetz investigation meeting

The House Ethics Committee is scheduled to convene this Wednesday after delaying a meeting where they were expected to discuss the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Lawmakers were supposed to vote last Friday on whether to release the committee’s report on Gaetz, but the meeting was canceled without explanation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced that Gaetz had resigned from Congress with immediate effect on Wednesday, shortly after being nominated to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general. House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., stated that if Gaetz were to leave Congress for a position in the administration, the committee would lose jurisdiction over him.

“Once the investigation is complete, then a report will be issued, assuming that at that time, that Mr. Gaetz is still a member of Congress. If Mr. Gaetz were to resign because he is taking a position with the administration as the attorney general, then the Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction at that point,” Guest explained before Gaetz’s resignation.

The committee’s investigation into Gaetz, which began in 2021, centered around allegations of drug use and sexual relations with a minor. The Department of Justice had also looked into the matter but closed the investigation without filing charges. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

After Gaetz’s resignation, the committee’s inquiry was terminated. However, some Republicans have called for the release of the report if Gaetz were to undergo the attorney general vetting process. GOP senators’ support is crucial for Gaetz’s confirmation.

House Speaker Johnson weighed in on the situation, expressing his belief that the report should not be made public. He emphasized that such action could set a dangerous precedent for the institution.

Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for Gaetz for comment. It was reported by CNN that a new meeting of the House Ethics Committee is scheduled for Wednesday.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the House of Representatives. Her previous work can be seen at Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.