The House Ethics Committee, meeting to consider the release of a report on its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, did not reach an agreement on Wednesday afternoon, the committee chairman said. This meeting came one week after the Florida Republican resigned from Congress following President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to select him for attorney general.
House Ethics Committee chairman Michael Guest told reporters that the panel had not reached an agreement to release the report as he exited the meeting Wednesday afternoon. Guest told CBS News that he voted against the release of the report, stating that “the committee no longer has jurisdiction on the issue so I disagreed with the release of the information.”
The committee’s other members did not comment on the more than two-hour meeting as they exited. Rep. Susan Wild, the ranking Democrat on the committee, addressed reporters after Guest’s comments, stating that the committee members had agreed not to discuss what transpired at the meeting. She expressed frustration at Guest’s decision to disclose the deliberations, emphasizing that there was no unanimity among the panel.
Wild clarified that the idea of the committee reaching an agreement not to move forward was untrue. She explained that in order to move something forward in the evenly divided committee, a member has to cross party lines and vote with the other side. “There was no consensus on this issue,” she continued. “We did agree that we would reconvene as a committee on Dec. 5 to further consider this matter.”
Meanwhile, Gaetz and Vice President-elect JD Vance met with a number of Senate Republicans in the Capitol as they looked to shore up support for Gaetz’s nomination. Gaetz, when asked by reporters for his reaction to the developments from the Ethics Committee, stated that he was focused on reforming the Department of Justice and meeting with senators, rather than paying attention to the panel.
Gaetz expressed his anticipation for his confirmation hearing in the Senate. The House Ethics Committee, comprised of five Republicans and five Democrats, had been investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. The investigation initially began in 2021 but was paused as the Justice Department conducted a sex trafficking and obstruction probe of Gaetz. Last year, the Ethics Committee resumed its work after the DOJ declined to charge Gaetz, who has denied all allegations.
The committee faced pressure to release the potentially damaging report following Trump’s announcement, as the Senate prepared for a fight over the president-elect’s most controversial Cabinet picks seeking confirmation. Before Gaetz’s resignation from the House, the committee had planned to meet for a vote on whether to release the report. Gaetz’s resignation ended the committee’s jurisdiction, complicating the path forward as reports on former members are not typically released.
Speaker Mike Johnson urged the committee not to release the report, warning of the precedent it would set. The committee’s top Democrat advocated for the report’s release, while senators from both parties pushed for it to be made available to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee also sent a letter to the FBI requesting Gaetz’s complete evidentiary file related to the investigation into alleged sex trafficking of minors.
In June, the Ethics Committee stated that as part of its investigation, it had spoken with more than a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents. Certain allegations merited continued review, including claims of sexual misconduct, drug use, and obstruction of government investigations into Gaetz’s conduct. A lawyer for two women who spoke with the committee testified that Gaetz paid them directly and repeatedly for sex, with Venmo transactions related to the encounters obtained by the panel.
The Ethics Committee’s move on Wednesday occurred as Senate Republicans, who gained the majority in the 2024 elections, were set to hold a narrow majority in the new Congress. This majority would bolster Trump’s agenda and likely streamline confirmation of his administration and judicial nominees, including Gaetz. However, the narrow majority put the fate of Trump’s controversial picks in question.
Trump affirmed on Tuesday that he was not reconsidering his selection of Gaetz for attorney general. The developments surrounding Gaetz and the Ethics Committee continue to unfold, with various stakeholders expressing differing opinions on the release of the report. As the Senate prepares to take on its role in confirming Cabinet selections, the outcome of the Ethics Committee’s decision could have significant implications.
The House Ethics Committee’s deliberations have sparked intense interest and speculation, with the public eagerly awaiting further developments in the case. The controversy surrounding Gaetz has captured the attention of the nation, highlighting the intersection of politics and ethics in Washington. As the committee reconvenes to further consider the matter, the outcome remains uncertain, adding to the intrigue surrounding the investigation into Gaetz’s conduct.
