In a significant development, the House Ethics Committee has reached an impasse regarding the release of its report on allegations of sexual misconduct involving Representative Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. The committee’s decision, which resulted in a 5-5 partisan vote, leaves the fate of Gaetz uncertain as he seeks to garner support from Senate Republicans ahead of his confirmation hearings.
On Wednesday, Gaetz, accompanied by Vice President-elect JD Vance, met with several Senate Republicans to discuss his nomination. However, many senators expressed a desire to review the findings of the House Ethics Committee investigation before making any decisions. The committee’s report, which remains unreleased, addresses serious allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl.
“There was no consensus on this issue,” stated U.S. Representative Susan Wild, the committee’s leading Democrat, after the closed-door meeting. The committee is scheduled to reconvene on December 5 to further deliberate on the matter.
Gaetz, 42, has faced scrutiny due to a lengthy FBI investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, which concluded without any charges filed against him. Despite his controversial background and lack of experience within the Justice Department, Gaetz has been a vocal critic of federal law enforcement agencies, calling for their dismantlement.
His nomination has sparked division within the Republican Party. Some senators have raised concerns about the serious nature of the allegations against him. Senator Mike Lee remarked that if true, the allegations would be troubling and warrant significant concern among his colleagues. “Whether he has the votes remains to be seen,” he added after meeting with Gaetz.
In light of these developments, Trump has reportedly begun reaching out to Republican senators to reinforce his support for Gaetz. Senator Lindsey Graham emphasized that Gaetz should be given an opportunity to present his case during the confirmation process.
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders are pressing for transparency regarding the Ethics Committee’s findings. Senator Dick Durbin and other Democrats have formally requested that the FBI provide its investigative file on Gaetz as part of their evaluation of his suitability for the role of chief law enforcement officer in the federal government.
As discussions continue in both chambers of Congress, Representative Sean Casten has initiated efforts to compel a vote requiring the House Ethics Committee to make its report public. However, with Congress heading into a Thanksgiving recess, it is unlikely that this vote will take place before December 3.
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