The House Republicans blocked two resolutions put forward by the Democrats, demanding the House Ethics Committee to release a potentially damaging report on its investigation into former US Congressman Matt Gaetz. The twin privilege proposals were pushed by Democratic Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois and Steve Cohen of Tennessee.
During the voting 206 to 198 lawmakers voted against the motion to release the damming report of the scandals Trump’s former Attorney General pick was involved in. It is important to note that whenever a lawmaker pushes a privilege resolution, the floor needs to vote on the matter in two legislative days.
While all but one Republican voted to refer Casten’s resolution back to the Ethics Committee, Cohen’s proposal also met the same fate in a 204 to 198 vote. According to CBS News, Republican Rep. Tom McClintock of California was the only member to cross party lines. In a statement, following the voting, Casten accused his Republican colleagues of voting “to sweep these allegations under the rug and set an unfortunate precedent.” He pledged to continue pursuing the report’s release.
Republicans attempt to hide Gaetz’s wrongdoings
The saga started after President-elect Donald Trump announced last month that he intended to nominate Gaetz for attorney general. Shortly after the appointment, the Florida Republican resigned from the US House of Representatives. Before Trump announced Gaetz as the AG pick, the Ethics Committee was investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gaetz, who has denied the allegations, withdrew from consideration after he struggled to garner support from the Senate.
Despite his withdrawal, calls grew for the release of the damming report. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, urged the committee to keep the report secret, arguing that a former member is beyond the panel’s jurisdiction and it would set a “terrible precedent.”
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