Notice of Intention to Offer Resolution Raising A Question of the Privileges of the House

Floor Speech

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Mr. CASTEN. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House.

The form of the resolution is as follows:

House Resolution, directing the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives to release to the public the Committee's report on its investigation into allegations against former Representative Matt Gaetz.

Whereas, on April 9, 2021, the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives announced that it had begun to review allegations that Representative Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused State identification records, converted campaign funds for personal use, and accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift in violation of the rules of the House, laws, or other standards of conduct;

Whereas, the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives has completed its review into allegations pursuant to Committee Rules 14(a)(3) and 18(a) that Representative Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct;

Whereas, on November 13, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of former Representative Matt Gaetz to serve as Attorney General;

Whereas, on November 13, 2024, Representative Matt Gaetz announced his resignation from Congress;

Whereas, there is precedent for the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives to release reports on former Members of the House of Representatives, should information in those reports remain relevant to the function of Congress;

Whereas, the decision by the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives not to release its report on its investigation into the serious allegations against former Representative Matt Gaetz impedes the ability of the Senate to provide advice and consent on this nomination; and

Whereas, a failure of the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives to release its report on its investigation impedes the dignity and integrity of the legislative proceedings of the House: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives shall immediately release to the public the committee's report on its investigation into allegations against former Representative Matt Gaetz, including any conclusions, recommendations, attachments, exhibits, or accompanying material.

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