### Senators Debate Gaetz's Nomination for Attorney General Amid House Ethics Report Controversy

In a series of high-stakes meetings on Capitol Hill, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of attorney general, faced Republican senators alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance to advocate for his confirmation. The discussions took place just as the House Ethics Committee deliberated on whether to release a report investigating Gaetz, ultimately opting against it.

Calls had surged from several senators for the House Ethics Committee to reveal the findings of its investigation into Gaetz, which involved allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, prior to his confirmation deliberations. However, after multiple votes, the committee decided against making its report public, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to ABC News.

Following Trump's announcement of Gaetz's nomination, the Florida congressman resigned from the House of Representatives, thereby ending the House Ethics Committee's jurisdiction over the probe. This decision sparked debate among Republicans and Democrats about whether an exception should be made to allow the Senate to fully vet the nomination.

The Justice Department had also investigated Gaetz for years over similar allegations but concluded last year without filing charges. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing associated with the allegations.

Republican Senators, including Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, Marsha Blackburn, John Kennedy, and John Cornyn, met with Gaetz and Vance on Wednesday. When asked about the potential difficulty of Gaetz’s confirmation hearings, Senator Cornyn humorously remarked that it could be "Kavanaugh on steroids," alluding to the tumultuous Supreme Court confirmation hearings of 2018. He added that Gaetz is "a smart guy" who is likely aware of the challenges ahead.

Senator Graham emphasized the importance of a fair process, stating that Gaetz deserves to present his case and should not be subjected to biased treatment. "No rubber stamps and no lynch mob," Graham told reporters. "I’m not going to be part of a process that leaks information that shouldn't be leaked."

Defending Gaetz's nomination, Senator Hawley expressed his intent to support all of Trump's nominees. He urged a thorough hearing process where concerns could be addressed and Gaetz could outline his vision for the role.

On the Democratic side, Senate Judiciary Committee members requested the complete evidentiary file from the FBI’s closed investigation into Gaetz, highlighting a precedent for such transparency in legislative contexts. Meanwhile, Trump criticized Democrats on social media, blaming them for attacking his Cabinet picks to undermine their reputations.

The debate over Gaetz’s nomination underscores deep partisan divides and the intense scrutiny facing presidential appointments in a highly polarized political landscape. As the confirmation process unfolds, both supporters and critics of Gaetz are preparing for a contentious battle.