President-elect Donald Trump He has called on Senate Republicans to push for the confirmation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, as lawmakers continue to raise concerns about the nomination.
Gaetz was being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct and illegal drug use. But he resigned from Congress after Trump announced his pick to lead the Justice Department put the panel’s report in limbo.
Some Senate Republicans are standing by their call to see the report, though many have now said they will turn to their colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee — often known for public debate hearings — to conduct a full review of Gaetz.
Gaetz’s nomination will go to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will vote on whether to send it to the full Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Monday night that he will leave it up to the panel to determine what information they need to vet Gaetz, and whether that includes the Ethics Committee report.
“I’m not sure I know the answer to how that’s going to be handled,” Thune said when asked about the report. “I think that’s going to be a House issue, and ultimately it’s going to be up to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will be responsible for the confirmation hearing and the process.”
Judiciary committee members believe they will receive information about Gaetz during the committee process with or without the Ethics report. But it could be fiery.
Senator John, newly elected Senate Majority Leader for the upcoming 119th Congress, speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on November 13, 2024 in Washington.
Ting Shen/AFP via Getty Images
“Whether we get an ethics report or not, the facts are going to come out one way or another, and I would think it would be in everyone’s best interest, including the president, not to be surprised by some of the information that might come out during the background check confirmation hearing, so we’re going to do our job and according to the Constitution.” , said Republican Senator John Cornyn.
Cornyn suggested that one way the information could come out is to subpoena those connected to the allegations to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“It is not critical to release the report because we know more or less who the witnesses are, and they will soon be called before the judicial commission,” said Cornyn.
If Gaetz does appear before the committee, it is not yet clear which witnesses will eventually testify. Republicans can call any of these women, or their attorneys, before the committee if they want to hear from them. But the Democrats would also have the opportunity to call witnesses, and they do not rule out calling the women who have filed accusations against Gaetz to testify.
“It’s going to be a committee decision,” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, said Monday when asked if he would approve calling one of the women.
Calling that witness has the potential to lead to a public hearing similar to Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nominations hearing, in which his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, testified.
Sen. Thom Tillis, who also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, referred to that process on Monday.
Tillis said he was inclined to “honor President Johnson’s position” in the House Ethics Committee report. Johnson said he does not want the report released. But there are other ways the commission can get information, Tillis said.
“You have to look at Kavanaugh’s audience,” he said.
There was widespread belief among Republicans that information contained in the report would eventually become known to the committee, either through leaks, press reports or FBI background checks.
“As we all know, this place leaks like a wet paper bag, and I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that the ethics report leaks at some point,” said Senator John Kennedy, who sits on the Judiciary Committee.
But when some Republicans asked whether they had insisted on conducting an FBI background check on Gaetz, there was a lack of clarity. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who will likely return to chair the committee next session, said it would be up to the president to require the background check.
Gaetz has been working the phones, reaching out to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee asking them to consider his nomination through regular order.
“I got a phone call from Congressman Gaetz, and I congratulated him and he said, ‘Am I going to get a Senate shakeup?'” Kennedy said. “And I said, ‘Absolutely Matt, come on, answer all the questionnaires. , tell us the truth, tell us which ones I’m excited about your plans for the agency.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, speaks during the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 17, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said Gaetz told him he wanted a hearing before the committee.
“He wants to move forward with his nomination and answer these things publicly and go through the normal process, have confirmation here, and I think that’s a good thing. We should do that,” Hawley said.
Hawley, however, cautioned against a Kavanaugh-style confirmation hearing, saying it was “not normal.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who opposed Kavanaugh’s confirmation, said she too would review the Judiciary Committee’s process. According to him, the ethical report of the Chamber should be part of it.
“I think the committee will have an opportunity to engage in a very meaningful review again. It would certainly make sense to have something if the report was completed or close to completion,” he said.
Regardless of the committee’s process, there is skepticism among Republicans about Gaetz’s ability to be confirmed.
“It raises the bar,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-IA. “But I hope to visit with him about it.”
