House Ethics Committee Deadlocked on Whether to Unseal Gaetz Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WENY News) -- One week after resigning from Congress, former Congressman Matt Gaetz was back on Capitol Hill Wednesday for key meetings with Senate Republicans. 

Gaetz, accompanied by Vice President-elect JD Vance, tried to shore up support from GOP Senators on Wednesday. The former Florida Representative is looking to ease concerns about becoming the nation’s next top law enforcement official.

Last week, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Gaetz to serve as U.S. Attorney General. The nomination sparked a firestorm of controversy and criticism with Gaetz facing allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and other accusations. 

Gaetz, who spearheaded the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year, has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. Gaetz was also the focus of a Department of Justice probe investigating whether he violated sex trafficking and obstruction of justice laws. Last year, the DOJ announced no charges would be filed.   

The House Ethics Committee has investigated the accusations since 2021 and compiled a yet-to-be-seen report. Since Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress, the committee no longer has jurisdiction over him.  

"The House Ethics Committee has jurisdiction over members of Congress, not former members, not private citizens, not someone who's left the institution. And I think that's a really important parameter for us to maintain,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R- LA). 

The House Ethics Panel, which is comprised of five Democrats and five Republicans, met behind closed doors Wednesday and weighed whether to release the report and how to go about doing so if they decided to unseal it. 

Lawmakers are split on how to approach the matter. Some Democrats argue that senators, who have the final say on cabinet nominations, should see the report before they vote. 

“I think it's essential for them to get that kind of information before they make a decision of this magnitude,” said Rep. Glenn Ivey (D- MD), a member of the House Ethics Committee. 

“Nobody should be disqualified because of a media report,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R- SC). 

After its closed-door meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Ethics Committee was deadlocked with Republicans voting against releasing the report and Democrats voting for its release. 

On Tuesday, when asked if he was reconsidering Gaetz’s nomination, the President-elect replied “No.” 

If approved by the Senate, Gaetz would be the nation’s top law enforcement official, overseeing the Justice Department and its dozens of agencies and other components. Gaetz’s nomination hearing is expected to be held early next year.