Rep. Michael Visitor (R-Miss.), the chair of the Home Ethics Committee, mentioned former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) choice to withdraw from consideration for lawyer normal “should end the discussion” relating to whether or not the panel ought to launch its report on the Florida Republican.
The feedback from Visitor got here shortly after Gaetz introduced he would bow out of the method to guide the Division of Justice as his path to the Cupboard place regarded more and more unlikely.
“I think that this should end the discussion of whether or not the Ethics Committee should continue to move forward in this matter,” Visitor instructed CBS Information when requested for his response to Gaetz’s withdrawal. “He has withdrawn his nomination, he is no longer a member of Congress, and so I think his settles any involvement that the Ethics Committee should have in any matters involving Mr. Gaetz.”
Gaetz’s announcement Thursday is the most recent curveball thrown on the Home Ethics Committee, which had investigated Gaetz on-and-off for roughly three years, noticed its probe come to an abrupt finish after the Florida Republican resigned from the Home, and had been dealing with heavy stress to launch its report into the ex-lawmaker.
The panel met on Wednesday — its first gathering since Gaetz’s nomination and resignation — however didn’t launch the report after a vote to publish the findings failed alongside social gathering strains, a supply acquainted with the matter instructed The Hill. The committee did, nevertheless, vote to formally “complete” its report into Gaetz.
The committee is scheduled to satisfy subsequent on Dec. 5. The supply mentioned members left Wednesday’s assembly with the understanding the report could be “ready” by that gathering, suggesting one other vote to launch the physique of labor might happen then.
Gaetz’s announcement, nevertheless, is placing that prospect into query, for the reason that Florida Republican is not a member of Congress — the panel doesn’t have jurisdiction over ex-lawmakers — and isn’t nominated for any Cupboard positions.
Requested if he was disenchanted at Gaetz’s choice to drop out, Visitor instructed CBS Information: “I have no comment on Mr. Gaetz’s decision to either seek the office or not seek the office.”
Visitor’s feedback might ruffle the feathers of Democrats who sit on the Ethics Committee, who had been pushing for the discharge of Gaetz’s report and voted to take action throughout Wednesday’s assembly.
The Home Ethics Committee opened its investigation into Gaetz in 2021, probing allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. He was additionally accused of accepting improper presents, shelling out particular privileges and favors to people with whom he had a private relationship and in search of to hinder authorities investigations of his conduct.
Gaetz was additionally the topic of an investigation by the Division of Justice, although the company declined to file fees. The Florida Republican has denied any wrongdoing.
Whereas it stays unclear what path the Ethics Committee will pursue now that Gaetz is not a member of Congress or a Cupboard nominee, no less than one Home Democrat continues to be pushing for the report’s launch.
Rep. Sean Casten (D-In poor health.) on Wednesday moved to pressure a vote on a decision compelling the Ethics Committee to launch its report, teeing up a vote after the Thanksgiving recess. After Thursday’s information, Casten mentioned he’s charging forward together with his effort.
“While I welcome the news that Matt Gaetz is withdrawing from consideration for Attorney General, it remains important that the Gaetz report be made available to the American people,” he mentioned in a press release.
