Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives fired the shots. Supported resolutions Democrats have released a Congressional report on allegations against Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz.
206 members opposed the resolution and 198 voted in favor of releasing the report. One Republican, Rep. Tom McClintock of California, voted in favor of his release.
“That would open up Pandora's box, and I don't think that's healthy for the facility.”
The House Ethics Committee report details accusations that Gates had sex with minors and engaged in illegal drug use. He has denied the allegations, and a federal investigation into the allegations resulted in no charges.
Louisiana Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson previously said he opposed the report's release.
“I don't think that's the right thing to do,” he said. “It doesn't follow our rules and traditions, and there's a reason for that. It opens up Pandora's box, and I don't think that's healthy for the institution.”
Democratic Congressman Sean Kasten of Illinois slammed Republicans who defeated his resolution.
“Today, the majority of the House took the easy way out,” he said. “If a former member faced serious and credible allegations of sexual misconduct, including sex with a minor, they could have certainly held a vote on whether to be held accountable. Instead, The House resolved to cover up these allegations and set the unfortunate precedent that if faced with intense scrutiny, resigning from Congress may resolve the issue.
President-elect Donald Trump surprised many when he announced that he had selected Gates as his nominee for federal attorney general. Even some Republicans publicly denounced the nomination, vowing never to confirm Gaetz as America's top law enforcement officer.
Gaetz ultimately withdrew his nomination and thanked Trump for the nomination.
“While momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation unfairly impeded the important work of the Trump-Vance transition,” Gaetz said at the time. “I have no time to waste on needlessly protracted Washington brawls, so I am withdrawing my name from consideration for attorney general.”
Gaetz resigned after his nomination, keeping his office open. President Trump also nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to serve as director. Many expressed the opinion that Mr. Bondi would pass Senate confirmation much more easily than Mr. Gaetz.
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