House Ethics panel to meet as demand grows for Gaetz report

Source: Axios

8 hours ago


The House Ethics Committee is expected to meet Wednesday for a possible vote on whether to release its report into allegations of sex trafficking, corruption and drug use against former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), two sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

Why it matters: The committee has been in the spotlight following President-elect Trump's nomination of Gaetz as attorney general and Gaetz's subsequent resignation from Congress.

Gaetz's departure from Congress takes him out of the committee's jurisdiction, but many Democrats and even some Republicans say the report should be released as the Senate considers Gaetz's nomination.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said he is leaning on the panel not to release the report because it would set a "terrible precedent."

What we're hearing: The Wednesday meeting is expected to touch on "multiple matters" of which the Gaetz report is likely to be one, one of the sources told Axios.

The other source said that any vote on the Gaetz report is likely to be "pro forma" due to GOP leadership's opposition to releasing it.

"We already know how it comes out," the source said, referring to the likelihood of the report not being released.

The meeting, which comes after a previously scheduled meeting last week was cancelled, was first reported by Politico.

Zoom in: Unlike most committees, the Ethics panel is split evenly between Democrats and Republicans — and thus uniform opposition from either side can halt any action.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/11/18/ethics-committee-matt-gaetz-attorney-general