Second House Democrat introduces measure to force vote on release of Gaetz ethics probe

A second House Democrat on Tuesday introduced a privileged resolution that would force a vote on the release of the House Ethics Committee's report on former Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Sean Casten introduced the first legislation on Tuesday afternoon, which gives the House a tight deadline of two business days to consider the vote. Gaetz has been a focal point of the House Ethics Committee since allegations surfaced that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor.

Gaetz, who was nominated to serve as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general before he withdrew his name, has denied any wrongdoing and a separate Justice Department investigation into the allegations last year did not result in any criminal charges. 

Tennessee Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen introduced the second privileged resolution on Tuesday, stating that Gaetz should not be allowed to "escape consequences" of the House committee's investigation.

“Matt Gaetz faces some of the most serious and troubling allegations the Ethics Committee has ever investigated," Cohen said in a statement. "By resigning, Gaetz thought the report would not be released. The accused should not be permitted to determine whether the Ethics Committee report will be released."

"Justice Louis Brandeis told us more than 100 years ago that ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant,'" he continued. "There must be something in the report or Gaetz would not have resigned." 

Cohen also blasted Gaetz's decorum during the investigation, stating that he should not go unpunished for calling the investigation a "witch hunt" and deriding the committee.

“We shouldn’t allow a person to escape consequences by resigning a day before a report is to be released, particularly if we expect to see that person assume a position of trust in the incoming Administration," Cohen concluded.

The House will now have until Thursday to consider both resolutions.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.