Republicans shoot down House Dem’s bid to publicize Gaetz ethics report
The recent attempt by Democrats in the House of Representatives to force the release of an ethics report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., was rejected on Thursday evening. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., filed a “privileged resolution” to make the Gaetz report public, but the resolution was referred to a committee for consideration, effectively defeating the effort.
Gaetz resigned from Congress last month in a failed bid to become President-elect Donald Trump’s next attorney general. His resignation came just before the House Ethics Committee was set to consider the release of its report into allegations against him, including accusations of sex with a minor and illicit drug use.
The Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction ended when Gaetz left Congress, and Republicans have shown little interest in releasing the report on a former member. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated that releasing the report would go against House rules and traditions, and he was against it.
Despite two meetings held by the Ethics Committee since Gaetz’s resignation, they have failed to reach an agreement on releasing the report. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and a federal investigation into the allegations against him concluded without charges being filed.
The House vote on Casten’s resolution came after the most recent Ethics Committee meeting, indicating that the issue is still contentious within the House. It remains to be seen if any further action will be taken regarding the release of the report on Gaetz.
Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, has been closely following this story and providing updates on the developments in the House of Representatives. For more information and updates on this story, follow Elizabeth Elkind on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send any tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
