House Republicans on Thursday deflected two separate attempts by Democrats to force the release of an ethics report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use by former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois and Steve Cohen of Tennessee both gave notice earlier in the week that they intended to raise the topic as a privileged question on the floor, triggering a vote. Both did so Thursday, but were batted aside in mostly party-line votes.
“The member being referenced in the resolution has actually resigned from the House of Representatives. Therefore, the question is moot,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., as he moved to refer it to the Ethics Committee.
