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Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) introduced a resolution Tuesday to force a House vote compelling the release of the Ethics Committee’s report on its long-running investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).
The resolution, deemed “privileged,” requires action within two legislative days, ensuring it will be brought to the floor this week.
Gaetz, who resigned from Congress on Nov. 13 to accept President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination for attorney general, withdrew from consideration a week later amid mounting opposition from GOP senators. The resistance stemmed primarily from the Ethics Committee’s probe into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use—accusations Gaetz has consistently denied.
Despite Gaetz’s resignation and withdrawal from the nomination process, Casten argues that the Ethics Committee must make its findings public. “Resigning from Congress should not allow Members to avoid accountability for allegations as serious as those faced by Matt Gaetz,” Casten said in a statement. “Withholding this report from the American people would impede the dignity and integrity of the legislative proceedings of the House.”
The Ethics Committee, composed of five Republicans and five Democrats, was reportedly deadlocked along party lines over whether to release the report before Gaetz’s resignation. Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) suggested Gaetz’s departure should close the matter, stating, “His withdrawal should end the discussion of whether or not the Ethics Committee should continue to move forward in this matter.”
Casten’s resolution cites four historical precedents where the Ethics Committee released reports on former members, including a 1987 investigation into then-Rep. Bill Boner (D-Tenn.) after his resignation. Casten previously introduced a similar resolution, but it expired before Congress recessed for Thanksgiving.
Speculation about Gaetz’s future persists, with rumors of a potential run for Florida governor in 2026 or a possible role in the Trump administration in a position that does not require Senate confirmation. Gaetz himself has hinted at these possibilities, further fueling public interest in the Ethics Committee’s findings.
Casten’s resolution underscores the belief that transparency is essential, especially in cases involving serious allegations. The upcoming vote will determine whether the Ethics Committee’s findings will remain confidential or be shared with the public, potentially impacting Gaetz’s political future and public accountability.
