Congressman Cohen’s Effort to Make Public the Report on Matt Gaetz is Referred to the Ethics Committee

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and a former member of the Committee on Ethics, today offered a privileged resolution continuing his effort to publicly release the Ethics Committee’s report of alleged misconduct by former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. The measure was referred to the Ethics Committee in a parliamentary maneuver designed to prevent the release. 

Congressman Cohen released the following statement:

“I brought this resolution to the floor today as an act of transparency. Many Americans view our institutions and government as protecting the powerful at the expense of the public. We need to restore trust. 

“I urge all my colleagues to support release of the Ethics Committee report to inform the public about the potential misconduct of a former – and most likely future – officeholder; let the committee speak for itself; ensure a strong accountability system in Congress; and educate Congress and the public about our ethical obligations. 

“Matt Gaetz, a former member of this body, faced some of the most serious allegations ever investigated by our Ethics Committee. There were the salacious allegations about sex and drugs. But there were also very serious allegations about public corruption and the abuse of Gaetz’s office. That second category of allegations goes to the very integrity of this body and our work on behalf of the American people. We are keepers of the public trust and must be, like Caesar’s wife, above reproach. 

“Gaetz also made a point of calling the Ethics investigation a ‘witch hunt,’ showing disrespect, and a causing a breach of the expected decorum a Member should show for this House. Only release of the report will establish this was not a witch hunt. 

“Some members of Congress retire into the sunset, but Matt Gaetz sought an even more powerful position, representing all citizens and upholding our Constitution and laws -- and there is every reason to believe he will be in the next Administration, probably in a position that does not require Senate confirmation. He is still advising President-elect Trump.

“It is imperative that we know his character and if he unethically and unlawfully abused his public office. 

“I will continue to seek the release of the Ethics report and hope the Committee sees the wisdom of doing so without further intervention.”

See the resolution here. 

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