The House Ethics Committee was poised on Wednesday to discuss the potential release of a report concerning former Rep. Matt Gaetz's alleged misconduct.

The discussion follows Gaetz's abrupt resignation from Congress ahead of his appointment as attorney general as Fox News reports.

Last week, the House Ethics Committee scheduled a vote on whether to publish findings from its investigation into allegations against Gaetz, including sex trafficking and obstruction of justice.

However, the vote was deferred when Gaetz resigned just two days before the meeting.

Investigation Timeline and Allegations Against Gaetz

The investigation, which could lose momentum due to Gaetz's resignation, began following claims by a woman, now in her 20s, that she had sexual relations with Gaetz at age 17.

The Department of Justice had previously interviewed the woman as part of its broader probe into these serious allegations against Gaetz.

President-elect Donald Trump had announced Gaetz's appointment as the next attorney general shortly before his resignation, complicating the ethics committee's jurisdiction over the case. Rep. Michael Guest, chair of the committee, noted that their authority to issue a report would end with Gaetz's departure from Congress.

Debate Over Releasing the Investigation Findings

Following Gaetz's resignation, there was considerable discussion about whether the committee's findings should still be released.

This was particularly significant as Gaetz was heading towards a confirmation hearing for his new role. Several GOP senators and Republicans expressed the need for transparency and urged the release of the report.

“If Mr. Gaetz were to resign because he is taking a position with the administration as the attorney general, then the Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction at that point... Once we lose jurisdiction, there would not be a report that would be issued. That's not unique to this case," stated Rep. Michael Guest.

Arguments for Public Accountability

Josh Sorbe, spokesperson for Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin, emphasized the importance of public accountability.

“There is longstanding precedent for releasing ethics investigation materials after a member resigns, whether in the House or Senate. The now-former congressman shouldn’t be able to resign away an ethics investigation involving allegations of grave misconduct, especially when he will be nominated to be our country’s top law enforcement officer,” said Sorbe.

However, House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the release of the report, citing concerns about setting a dangerous precedent.

“The speaker of the House is not involved with those things. I am reacting to media reports that a report is currently in some draft form and was going to be released on what is now a former member of the House. I do not believe that that is an appropriate thing... That would open up Pandora's box, and I don't think that's a healthy thing for the institution, so that's my position," Johnson explained.

Impact of Resignation on Ethics Investigation

An anonymous House Republican suggested that Gaetz's resignation was a strategic move to stifle the ethics investigation.

This claim adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding situation, highlighting the political strategies that can influence such proceedings.

The Ethics Committee's meeting on Wednesday was expected to address these various issues, potentially deciding on the fate of the investigative report.

The outcome could have significant implications for both Gaetz's future and the transparency of congressional proceedings.