Republican Senator Cornyn 'absolutely' wants to see Matt Gaetz ethics report

5:44 am today

By Sarah N Lynch for Reuters

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 3: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks to reporters after a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol October 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) speakership is being challenged by a handful of conservative members of his own party lead by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) following a deal to keep the federal government from partially shutting down over the weekend. Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Matt Gaetz was investigated by the Justice Department for nearly three years over sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl. Photo: DREW ANGERER / AFP

Republican US Senator John Cornyn says he "absolutely" wants to review an unreleased congressional ethics report on Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general.

Gaetz resigned his seat in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday, which would end an ethics committee probe examining allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. He has denied wrongdoing.

Gaetz also was investigated by the Justice Department for nearly three years over sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl. His office said in 2023 that he had been told by prosecutors that he would not face criminal charges.

Cornyn told reporters "there should not be any limitation" on the Senate's investigation as lawmakers consider whether they should confirm Gaetz to head the Justice Department, "including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated."

When asked if that means he wants to see the ethics report, he replied: "Absolutely."

- Reuters