Senate Democrats are demanding the House Ethics Committee release their report about former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as he works to be confirmed as the next Attorney General. The committee has been investigating Gaetz since 2021 on a number of allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, converting campaign funds for personal use and accepting a bribe.
“We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the American people,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told reporters.
Democrats want the committee to release their report and the evidence they used to write it. The House Committee was going to vote on releasing it Friday, Nov. 15, but they no longer have jurisdiction over Gaetz because he resigned Wednesday, Nov. 13.
“I am also going to insist that we be provided with the evidence and investigative findings of the Department of Justice, in connection with its investigation of very serious federal crimes that are directly and indisputably relevant to his appointment to this top federal law enforcement post,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said.
Blumenthal told Straight Arrow News if the House Ethics Committee does not release the report publicly or provide it to the Senate for review during the confirmation process, the Senate Judiciary Committee could issue a subpoena. Otherwise, it may never be seen.
“Elections have consequences,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said. “He chose Matt Gaetz. Matt will come before the committee and he will be asked hard questions and we’ll see how he does.”
“I think the president’s entitled to broad presumption in favor of his cabinet,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said. “And my working of presumption is that I’ll vote in favor of all of his Cabinet picks.”
Some Republicans are expressing concern about Gaetz. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, already announced she’ll vote no. Sen. John Cornyn, Texas, said he wants to see the entire House report. Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa, said Gaetz has his work cut out for him.
The ethics investigation isn’t Gaetz’s only baggage. His crusade to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is also looked down upon.
“I didn’t like the way he handled the squabble with Speaker McCarthy,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said. “I think that was unnecessary. I thought it was divisive. I think that the conference suffered, the Republican Conference suffered for it and, you know, Mike Johnson sort of redeemed them. So that’s one hang up I have about him.”
When Republicans take control of the chamber in January, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the man who oversaw the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, is in line to chair the Judiciary Committee again.
