The House voted against a move by the Democrats to release an ethics report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
Members voted 206-198 to stop a Democrat effort to force the release of the Ethics Committee’s report on Gaetz.
Democrats have continued to demand the report after it became a political football during Gaetz’s failed bid to be President Donald Trump’s attorney general.
Gaetz resigned abruptly from the House last month after Trump nominated him to lead the Justice Department.
Despite Gaetz withdrawing his name from consideration, Democrats hope to damage the former congressman who has vowed to “fight for Trump” after leaving Congress.
While Democrats insist there is a continued public interest in the Ethics report, Republicans have said it would not be appropriate to publish findings on a former lawmaker.
Since Gaetz resigned and will not return in January, he is no longer under the jurisdiction of Congress.
The Ethics report centers on accusations of sexual misconduct against Gaetz.
Gaetz was also investigated by the Justice Department and never charged.
Just one Republican, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), sided with Democrats on a resolution from Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) to force the report’s release.
The resolution was sent back to the Ethics Committee in a 206-198 vote.
A separate effort by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) was shot down 204-198.
Casten complained that Republicans “took the easy way out” and shielded Gaetz from “serious and credible allegations of sexual misconduct, including having sex with minors.”
“Instead, the House voted to sweep these allegations under the rug and set an unfortunate precedent that, if you are ever facing scrutiny, resigning from Congress can make your problems go away,” he said.
The Ethics Committee was deadlocked on releasing the report on November 20, and the next day, Gaetz withdrew his nomination after failing to secure enough support from Republican senators.
On Thursday, the Ethics Committee met again briefly to discuss the report as Democrats made their push to force its release.
“The Committee met today to discuss the matter of Representative Matt Gaetz. The Committee is continuing to discuss the matter,” the panel wrote.
“There will be no further statements other than in accordance with Committee and House Rules.”
Gaetz has long said the Ethics Committee is out for political retribution over his role in removing former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from leadership.
Details from the investigation were being leaked to reporters before Gaetz withdrew his bid for attorney general.
“It’s an ongoing matter of public interest,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said.
“We’ll see if our former colleague is presented for any other administration positions.
“It certainly is not a moot matter.”
Despite winning another House term, Gaetz has said he will not serve again.
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