Congressman Cohen Says Ethics Report on Matt Gaetz Should Be Released
In floor speech, says Senate must meet its obligation to advise and consent on Trump nominees
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) spoke from the House floor today, making the case that the United States Senate should not agree to Donald Trump’s request to permit recess appointments of his nominees without hearings or votes. He also called for the release of the Ethics Committee report on the conduct of Matt Gaetz, who resigned his House seat on Wednesday night after being nominated for Attorney General.
In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part:
“This week, I came back to Washington with the idea of trying to give President Trump a chance – with an open mind, hold my tongue. It’s been difficult and will get more difficult, it appears…”
On the Senate’s duty to advise and consent and vote to confirm nominees for cabinet positions, Congressman Cohen said, “To not have hearings and not have votes is dereliction.”
On the Gaetz nomination, Congressman Cohen said the Florida congressman’s resignation has thwarted an Ethics Committee investigation that was to be released this week.
“I would hope that our Ethics Committee and the chair of the Ethics Committee who has done a great job on other occasions, and I have a great respect for, would release the results of the (Gaetz) study, for the American public because they should see it…They should see the type of person who is going to be brought up for Attorney General…
“As I understand it, the report would be eye-opening and extremely damaging and it should be released to the American public. They have a right to see it.”
See the entire speech here.
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