Illinois Democratic Representative Sean Casten made the announcement Tuesday afternoon updated privileged resolution trying to force the bipartisan House Ethics Committee to release its investigative report on former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general.
“Be it Resolved, That the House Ethics Committee immediately release to the public the final draft of its report and summary of its findings, including conclusions, draft reports, recommendations, appendices, exhibits, and accompanying materials. Redactions as may be necessary and appropriate to protect sensitive information, Rep. Matt Gaetz including the identities of witnesses to the investigation of the allegations against the former,” Casten said, reading the full House resolution. the floor
Speaker Mike Johnson has opposed the release of the report, saying the Ethics Committee suspends its investigations when a member leaves Congress.
Rep. Cast’s updated resolution includes several previous examples of the committee’s release of reports on former members of Congress.
Representative Sean Cast attends a news conference on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s climate rulemaking in Washington on March 6, 2024.
Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The House must make the resolution within two legislative periods, which means it will be done on Wednesday or Thursday. It is expected that the leadership of the Republic will present a motion when the resolution is put to the vote.
Casten’s move The Ethics Committee will meet Thursday to discuss the Gaetz report.
Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks during special counsel Robert Hur’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, March 12, 2024.
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Before Gaetz took over as attorney general, Casten led 97 House Democrats. the letter He requested the release of the report. Democrats would need a handful of Republicans to cross party lines for the move to succeed.
Casten remained adamant that the report should be released, despite Gaetz’s withdrawal.
“No workplace should sweep that information under the rug because someone resigned,” Casten told ABC News last month. “The integrity of the law is important. The integrity of this House is important, and it is important that the respect we expect the American people to give us, that we who are entrusted with this job will defend the United States.” A land where everyone is treated equally under the law.”
