Janice R. Andrews
In a move that signals bipartisan concern, Senate Republicans are pushing for access to the House Ethics Committee’s findings on embattled lawmaker Matt Gaetz, following President-elect Donald Trump’s surprising decision to nominate Gaetz as Attorney General. With pressure mounting from within the Senate, both parties appear poised to scrutinize the ethics probe, which centers on allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and other improper actions linked to Gaetz.
The nomination announcement on Wednesday stunned lawmakers, with several Republican senators voicing apprehensions about Gaetz’s suitability for the top law enforcement post. In a narrowly divided Senate, Trump cannot afford to lose more than four GOP votes if he hopes to secure Gaetz’s confirmation without Democratic support.
Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a senior Republican, indicated that the Senate may need to review the House ethics report as part of the confirmation process, suggesting a subpoena could be issued if necessary. “We should gain access to all relevant information by whatever means necessary,” Cornyn stated on Wednesday. Known for his clashes with Trump, Cornyn emphasized that gaining access to the report would ensure a comprehensive review of Gaetz’s background before any Senate vote.
The Push for Full Disclosure
Following Trump’s announcement, Gaetz, who has represented Florida in the House since 2017, submitted a resignation letter, effective immediately. While Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing, his decision to step down has fueled concerns and heightened the urgency for transparency regarding the House probe. Sources familiar with the investigation reported that the House Ethics Committee, which has been examining Gaetz’s alleged misconduct, is expected to convene on Friday to discuss the findings.
North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer, a fellow Republican, echoed Cornyn’s call for transparency, arguing that even if the report is not made public, the Senate should at least have access to it during the confirmation hearings. “Given the timing of Gaetz’s resignation, this report is crucial for the Senate’s consideration,” Cramer said.
On the Democratic side, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin called on the House Ethics Committee to preserve and share its report on Gaetz with the Senate committee. Durbin emphasized that the Senate’s advice-and-consent role requires access to all relevant details. “We cannot allow this valuable information from a bipartisan investigation to be hidden from the American people,” Durbin asserted in a statement on Thursday.
Legal and Procedural Hurdles
Despite the bipartisan push, obtaining the ethics report may prove challenging. Tom Rust, chief counsel for the House Ethics Committee, declined to comment on whether the panel would release the report. While Durbin can request the report, his ability to compel its release is limited, as the House can ignore a Senate subpoena. For Durbin’s committee to issue a subpoena, a majority vote would likely be required—a hurdle that could complicate efforts to secure the report before Gaetz’s confirmation hearings begin.
The ethics investigation, which the House committee confirmed in June, has examined allegations that Gaetz engaged in inappropriate relationships, took illicit drugs, and accepted improper gifts. Gaetz had initially cooperated with the probe but announced in September that he would no longer do so voluntarily. Speculation has grown that the report, due to be discussed by the committee on Friday, contains findings that could impact his confirmation.
Republican Skepticism Raises Concerns
Trump’s nomination of Gaetz has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, with some Republican senators already signaling doubt about the choice. Cornyn, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, admitted he was “trying to absorb all this,” while Senator Susan Collins of Maine called the pick “completely unexpected.” Collins highlighted that all attorney general nominees undergo an FBI background check, which could uncover additional concerns related to Gaetz.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski also voiced skepticism, stating she doesn’t consider Gaetz a serious candidate for the role. These early signs of resistance among Republican senators underscore the uphill battle Trump may face to secure Gaetz’s confirmation.
The GOP currently holds a slim majority of 53-47 in the Senate, but this margin leaves Trump vulnerable to any dissent within his party. If four or more Republicans oppose the nomination, Gaetz’s confirmation could stall, forcing Trump to either withdraw the nomination or rely on Democratic support—an unlikely scenario given the gravity of the allegations against Gaetz.
Implications for Trump’s Influence
The Gaetz nomination will serve as an early test of Trump’s influence over Senate Republicans in the upcoming session. As the Senate prepares to transition back to Republican control, Trump’s choice of Gaetz as Attorney General has sparked unease within his party, highlighting a potential rift between Trump loyalists and more moderate Republicans.
The ongoing ethics probe, which reportedly examined whether Gaetz had a relationship with a 17-year-old girl in exchange for money—a claim Gaetz denies—has long cast a shadow over his political career. The Department of Justice closed its investigation without filing charges last year, but the ethical concerns remain unresolved in the House.
Durbin, underscoring the importance of transparency, warned that suppressing the report could hinder the Senate’s ability to properly vet Gaetz’s fitness for the role. “Make no mistake: this information could be relevant to the question of Mr. Gaetz’s confirmation,” Durbin said.
Looking Ahead
With the Senate confirmation process set to begin, the calls for full disclosure of Gaetz’s ethics probe have placed House and Senate Republicans under intense pressure to reveal the investigation’s findings. In a rare show of unity, Senate Republicans and Democrats alike are seeking accountability, underscoring the gravity of Gaetz’s nomination.
As Trump’s choice faces scrutiny, the outcome of Gaetz’s nomination remains uncertain. The decision by Senate Republicans to prioritize access to the ethics report suggests that Gaetz’s appointment to the nation’s highest law enforcement office may not proceed as Trump had planned.
