Home » World » Republicans on ethics panel vote to block filing of report on Gaetz

Republicans on ethics panel vote to block filing of report on Gaetz

(CNN) — Republicans on the House Ethics Committee aligned themselves with GOP leaders and voted not to make public the results of their investigation into Donald Trump’s attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz. , despite growing calls from the Senate GOP to make the findings public before his confirmation hearing.

The GOP’s decision to block the results, against the will of Democrats on the panel, raises big questions about what happens to the top-secret information the ethics panel has already collected on Gaetz.

Gaetz is quietly negotiating with Republican senators “to give him a chance” as Trump’s attorney general

The commission voted to meet again in December, when Republicans on the panel hope to have a finalized report, according to two people familiar with the discussions. But until then, pressure is mounting across Capitol Hill to release the contents of the report as Gaetz makes his case directly to the Republican senators who will determine his future as attorney general. And with just a few weeks to go until the current Congress ends, Democrats must plan their next steps.

Some Democrats are trying to create their own pressure point. Democratic Rep. Sean Casten, close to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, announced Wednesday that he would offer a privilege resolution to try to make the report public. Before he could do so, another Democrat, Rep. Steve Cohen, made a similar effort to bring the report to light through a floor vote.

Any member of the House can introduce a privileged resolution to force the publication of the ethics report on the grounds that it is relevant to the “dignity and integrity” of the House, giving the measure special powers to be considered. But it still must pass strict procedural rules to reach the plenary session.

It is unclear whether Cohen, who formally declared his plans on the floor Wednesday, has drafted a measure that goes beyond those procedural rules. But if it does, then President Mike Johnson will be forced to bring it to the floor within two legislative days. Privately, however, Democrats believe the GOP will block the measure from actually receiving a vote.

Meanwhile, the Ethics Commission will continue working on its report, which the panel’s chairman, Rep. Michael Guest, said is not complete. The status of the report was one of the main points of discussion at the panel’s two-hour meeting.

Although the investigation is over, lawmakers from both parties have disagreed over whether it is technically over.

Rep. Susan Wild, the committee’s top Democrat, stressed that her party did not agree with Republicans’ decision not to make the report public.

Guest stated after the meeting that there was “no agreement” on the release of the findings.

Shortly after Guest’s comments, Wild spoke to reporters and said, “I don’t want the American public or anyone else to think that Mr. Guest’s characterization of what happened today is any kind of indication that the commission had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to make the report public.

“It strikes me that the president has since betrayed the process by revealing our deliberations within moments of leaving the commission. He has implied that there was an agreement by the commission not to release the report. That is false,” he said. Wild.

The Pennsylvania Democrat added that the panel will meet again on December 5 to “further examine this matter.”

**Given ⁤the public’s right to know about potential wrongdoing by those in power, what legal‍ or ethical arguments could be⁣ made to compel ⁣the House Ethics Committee to release the Gaetz Report, even if⁢ they believe ‌it jeopardizes ongoing negotiations or political strategies?**

## Interview: The Gaetz Report ⁢- A ⁣Battle Over Transparency

**Introduction:**

Today we’re joined by respected political analysts [Guest 1 Name & Title] and [Guest 2 Name & Title] to discuss the heated ⁣debate surrounding the⁢ House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s proposed ⁣Attorney‌ General. The Committee voted to withhold the results of their investigation, sparking controversy and‌ raising critical questions about transparency and accountability.

**Section 1: The⁢ Investigation &‌ its Findings**

* **For Guest​ 1:** The House Ethics Committee investigation into Matt Gaetz has concluded, but the findings remain confidential. What do you believe are some of the potential reasons ‌behind the Republicans’ decision to withhold the⁣ report, especially given the growing pressure from‌ both Democrats and even some Republicans in ⁤the Senate to make it public?

* ‍**For Guest 2:** The article mentions that the Ethics Committee has collected “top-secret information” in ⁢its investigation ‍of Gaetz. How ‍significant do you believe this information‌ could be, and what are some of the potential implications of keeping it ‍hidden from the public? Could this raise concerns about⁣ a potential ‍cover-up?

**Section 2: Political‌ Strategies & Motivations**

* ​ **For Guest 1:** Gaetz is actively negotiating with Republican senators to secure his confirmation as Attorney General. How do you think the confidentiality of the Ethics⁢ Committee’s report ⁤affects ‍these⁢ negotiations? Could this allow Gaetz to present a more favourable image to the⁤ senators, potentially​ influencing their ‌decision?

* **For Guest 2:** The article highlights Democrats’ efforts ⁢to force ⁢the release of the report ​through⁣ privileged resolutions. What are the ⁤odds of these efforts succeeding? What are the potential political⁣ ramifications for​ both Democrats and Republicans depending on whether the report is ⁣ultimately made public?

**Section 3: The Ethics of Transparency & Accountability**

* **For Guest 1:** The‍ Ethics ⁤Committee’s decision to withhold the report has sparked debate about transparency and accountability in government. Do you think there⁤ should be stricter rules regarding the release of information ⁣gathered‍ in such investigations? ⁤What principles should guide these decisions?

* **For Guest 2:** Considering the context ​of the upcoming Attorney ⁣General confirmation​ hearings and the potential impact on American justice, how crucial⁤ is public access to the Ethics Committee’s findings? What message ‌does withholding this information send to the American⁣ people about the commitment to ethical conduct in⁢ government?

**Section 4:‍ Looking Ahead**

* **For Superhero1:** The Ethics Committee will meet again ‌in December to finalize its​ report. What do you anticipate will happen in this meeting? Will there​ be ​a⁢ shift ⁢in the Committee’s stance ⁤on releasing the ⁢report?

* **For Superhero2:** Regardless of the Committee’s decision, how will this situation impact ​public trust in Congress‌ and the government as a whole? What⁣ can be done to rebuild trust and ensure ⁤greater transparency in⁣ the future?

**Conclusion:**

This ongoing controversy surrounding‍ the⁤ Gaetz report underscores⁢ the delicate balance between political expediency and the need for transparency and accountability in our democratic system. The coming‍ weeks will be crucial in determining the ultimate‌ fate​ of the report and its‌ potential impact on the future of American justice.

Thank you to our guests for their insightful analysis on this complex and timely issue.

⁣ **Note:** This interview structure is designed to encourage in-depth discussion and​ diverse ‌perspectives​ on the issue at hand. Depending on⁢ the guests’​ expertise and the specific tone desired, the questions can be further tailored or adapted.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.