He irked fellow GOP members in early 2023 when he filed the resolution that successfully ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy then helped fund a primary challenge to Gaetz that included commercials alleging that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old, an allegation currently investigated by the House Ethics Committee. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department ended its own sex trafficking investigation without bringing charges against him.
Even Trump’s allies in the Senate are keeping their distance from Gaetz.
“We’ll see,” said Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin when asked whether he would vote to confirm the congressman.
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, suggested that the Senate would look closely into Gaetz, including the House Ethics Committee investigation.
“I’m sure it will make for a popcorn-eating confirmation hearing,” said GOP Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
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