The House Ethics Committee has announced its decision to release its investigative report on former Representative Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. The decision comes after lawmakers on the panel voted to make the report public following the final congressional votes of the year, slated for Thursday.
Multi-Year Investigation into Gaetz
The Ethics Committee’s investigation into Gaetz spanned several years and focused on allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor and illicit drug use.
However, the investigation ended abruptly last month when Gaetz resigned from Congress just hours after President-elect Donald Trump tapped him to serve as attorney general.
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Federal Investigation Outcome
Matt Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing. A previous federal investigation into the allegations concluded without any charges against him. Despite his resignation, the Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction over the probe ended when he left the House of Representatives.
Controversy Surrounding the Report’s Release
The decision to release the report has sparked debate among lawmakers. Initially, the Ethics Committee delayed its meeting to consider releasing the report. When the meeting eventually took place, Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., told reporters that no consensus had been reached.
Democratic Criticism
Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., the committee’s top Democrat, criticized Guest for what she described as a betrayal of the process. Wild claimed Guest disclosed committee deliberations immediately after leaving the meeting and falsely implied there was an agreement not to disclose the report.
“A vote was taken,” Wild explained. “This committee is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, with five members from each party. For a decision to move forward, at least one member must cross party lines, which happens often. However, that did not occur in today’s vote.”
Rare Move by the Ethics Committee
The decision to release a report on a former lawmaker is unusual but not unprecedented. The latest move suggests at least one Republican joined Democrats in voting to release the report.
House Speaker Opposes the Decision
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed his opposition to making the Gaetz report public. “It doesn’t follow our rules and traditions, and there is a reason for that,” Johnson said. “It would open Pandora’s box, and I don’t think that’s healthy for the institution.”
Conclusion
The release of the report on Matt Gaetz marks a significant step by the House Ethics Committee. While it is rare for such reports to be made public after a lawmaker leaves Congress, this decision underscores the ongoing debates about accountability and transparency in government. The report’s contents and its implications are expected to draw widespread attention.
