Republicans shot down a House Dem’s effort to promote the Gaetz ethics report

The House of Representatives rejected the Democrats’ bid Insist on release Ethics report to former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Thursday evening.

Rep. Sean Kasten, D-Ill., filed a measure called a “privileged resolution” to make the Gaetz report public, a ploy to force House leaders to take up a resolution within two legislative days.

House lawmakers voted to refer Kasten’s resolution to a related committee for consideration. The GOP-controlled committee is unlikely to take it up, however, as the measure essentially defeats the Democrats’ effort.

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Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress last month in an unsuccessful bid to become President-elect Donald Trump’s next attorney general.

His resignation also came before the House Ethics Committee considered releasing its report to the Florida Republican.

The committee spent years investigating allegations against Gaetz that included sex with a minor and illegal drug use.

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But its mandate ended when Gaetz left Congress, and Republicans have shown little appetite for the Buck tradition and released a report on Congressional deserters.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters last month that he opposed releasing the report.

“I don’t believe it’s an appropriate thing, it doesn’t follow our rules and traditions And there is a reason for that. That opens Pandora’s box and I don’t think it’s a healthy thing for the organization,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee met twice after Gaetz’s resignation and both times failed to reach an agreement on releasing the report.

The most recent meeting occurred hours before Thursday’s vote.

Gaetz, for his part, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. A federal investigation into the allegations ended without charges against Gaetz.