Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) implied this week that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) may face an effort to expel him from the House of Representatives pending an ethics report. According to the former speaker, Gaetz may face a similar situation as current Rep. George Santos (R-NY).
Gaetz and the former speaker have had a particularly negative relationship, especially in the last year. The Florida Republican-led an effort to block McCarthy from becoming speaker earlier this year, which resulted in multiple votes and concessions.
This included the ability for a single member of the House to call for the vacancy of the speakership. Following a budget agreement that averted a government shutdown, Gaetz filed a motion that would successfully oust McCarthy from the position.
McCarthy told Fox News that the pending ethics complaint against Gaetz could cause “the same problem that Santos has. I think the conference would be probably better united to be able to move forward and get this all done.”
The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating Gaetz over a number of allegations. These include reports that Gaetz accepted bribes and used drugs, which has been denied by the congressman.
Furthermore, the committee is seeking information on a Justice Department investigation about whether or not Gaetz was involved in a human trafficking operation involving an underaged girl.
However, the congressman’s office denies all wrongdoing and said that the Justice Department would not be pressing charges.
An official resolution to expel Gaetz has not been filed.
Santos is facing a second effort to expel him from the House this month following the release of an ethics report. The House Ethics Committee alleges that Santos had improperly used campaign funds.
The New York Republican allegedly used these funds on high-profile trips and botox treatment. Santos also allegedly used the funds for an OnlyFans account.
Santos had successfully beaten an earlier effort to expel him from the House. However, with the support of the House Ethics Committee, it appears more likely that the freshman representative may be removed in the near future.
