Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin) releases the House Ethics Committee's report on allegations of misconduct against former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), President-elect Trump's nominee for attorney general. He said he would vote to do so.
“I think it's really important for everyone to have as much knowledge as possible so they can make informed decisions,” Van Orden told CNN's Manu Raju on Wednesday night. spoke.
The committee voted early Wednesday not to release details of Gates' report despite intense pressure to release its findings.
The committee met behind closed doors and took multiple votes to release all or part of the information. The report, which some lawmakers have argued is essential to the Senate's vote to confirm Gaetz as attorney general, reportedly details allegations of sexual misconduct against the former lawmaker. There is.
Gaetz also strongly denied allegations that he slept with a minor. He resigned from the House of Representatives after being nominated by President Trump, effectively ending the investigation.
In the wake of Wednesday's Ethics Committee decision, one Democratic lawmaker is seeking another way to release the report.
Rep. Sean Kasten (D-Ill.) is moving to force the committee to release its findings through a privileged resolution, which would require a House vote within two legislative days if the committee does not release the information. is activated.
The committee is scheduled to meet on December 5, with the possibility of voting to release the report at a later date.
Mr. Van Orden, who has a tumultuous past with Mr. Gaetz, told CNN that he would vote “yes” to release the report.
“If the rumors about Mr. Gaetz's conduct are true, he should be referred to other institutions. If not, there are many people who owe him an apology,” Van Orden said.
