The House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday to block the release of a potentially damning report that investigated sexual misconduct charges against former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
This decision comes soon after Gaetz was selected by president-elect and convicted felon Donald Trump to serve as attorney general. Even though Gaetz is now in line to be the nation’s top law enforcement officer, the bipartisan committee shot down the opportunity for senators to view the report before potentially confirming the 42-year-old as AG.
“There was no agreement by the committee to release the report,” Republican Rep. Michael Guest—a chairman of the ethics panel—said as he and other members exited the two-hour meeting.
While the report remains sealed, the Senate Judiciary Committee can subpoena the House committee to hand it over before deciding whether or not to move Gaetz’s nomination forward for a full Senate vote.
The controversial former Florida congressman has been under investigation by the committee since 2021 for alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor, illicit drug use, and other questionable affairs.
