The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Gaetz’s status in the House and the Ethics Committee report

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., made headlines last week when he officially resigned from the House of Representatives. It’s important to note that once a member resigns from the House, it is considered final and cannot be revoked. In his resignation letter, Gaetz stated that he was stepping down “effective immediately” and expressed his intention to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump Administration.

Despite his resignation, Gaetz was re-elected to his seat for the upcoming Congress set to be seated on January 3. However, it is unclear whether Gaetz plans to take the oath of office for the new Congress. He has not indicated his future plans, and it remains to be seen if he will inform the House clerk of his intent to serve in the new Congress.

The House Ethics Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into Gaetz, which must be concluded by the end of this Congress. There is a possibility that the committee may vote to carry over the inquiry to the next Congress, as it has done in the past. If Gaetz decides not to serve in the new Congress and withdraws his nomination for Attorney General, the release of the committee’s report may be less significant.

In the event that Gaetz chooses to return to the House, his presence would benefit the GOP, especially with other Republican representatives like Elise Stefanik and Michael Waltz leaving to join the Trump administration. Gaetz’s decision will have implications for the party’s numbers and dynamics in Congress.

Overall, Gaetz’s resignation and potential return to the House have sparked speculation and uncertainty about his future political career. It remains to be seen how his actions will impact the House, the GOP, and the ongoing investigations into his conduct.