The Home Ethics Committee is assembly this Wednesday after beforehand suspending a gathering the place the panel was anticipated to debate its investigation of now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Fox Information has realized.
Lawmakers had been anticipated to vote on whether or not to launch the committee’s report into Gaetz final Friday earlier than that assembly was canceled with out clarification.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., informed reporters that Gaetz had resigned from Congress efficient instantly on Wednesday, hours after he was tapped to function President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyer basic.
Home Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Visitor, R-Miss., informed reporters after Gaetz’s nomination that his panel would lose jurisdiction over the Florida Republican if he left Congress.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz is seen within the Capitol Constructing in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 2024, forward of the Presidents State of the Union deal with. (Aaron Schwartz/NurPhoto through Getty Photographs)
“As soon as the investigation is full, then a report shall be issued, assuming that at the moment, that Mr. Gaetz remains to be a member of Congress. If Mr. Gaetz had been to resign as a result of he takes a place with the administration because the lawyer basic, then the Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction at that time,” Visitor mentioned earlier than information of Gaetz leaving.
“As soon as we lose jurisdiction, there wouldn’t be a report that may be issued. That is not distinctive to this case.”
The committee’s probe was put to an finish after Gaetz’s resignation.
Nevertheless, a number of Republicans have already mentioned the report ought to be launched if Gaetz had been to undergo the lawyer basic vetting course of, together with GOP senators whose help can be important to Gaetz being confirmed.
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Rep. Michael Visitor (R-MS) walks out of the Senate Chamber after he and different impeachment managers delivered the articles of impeachment in opposition to Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on Capitol Hill on April 16, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs)
The Home Ethics Committee’s investigation into Gaetz, which started in 2021, stems from accusations of illicit drug use and intercourse with a minor.
The Division of Justice (DOJ), which Gaetz has been tapped to guide, additionally beforehand investigated the matter however closed that probe with no prices filed.
Gaetz himself has denied any wrongdoing.
A spokesperson for the Home Ethics Committee declined to touch upon the brand new Wednesday assembly, which was first reported by CNN.
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Home Speaker Mike Johnson of La., smiles as President-elect Donald Trump attends a gathering with Home Republicans in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (Allison Robbert/Pool through AP)
Johnson lent his voice to the more and more heated debate on Friday, telling reporters he didn’t imagine the report ought to be launched.
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“The Speaker of the Home shouldn’t be concerned with these issues. I’m reacting to media reviews {that a} report is at the moment in some draft type and was going to be launched on what’s now a former member of the Home. I don’t imagine that that’s an acceptable factor,” the home speaker mentioned.
“That may open up Pandora’s field and I do not assume that is a wholesome factor for the establishment, in order that’s my place.”
Fox Information Digital reached out to a Gaetz spokesperson for remark.
Fox Information’ Daniel Scully contributed to this report.
