Former House speaker floats idea of removing Gaetz from House GOP caucus, committees
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday floated the idea of removing Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) from his caucus and committee assignments if allegations of misconduct against the congressman turn out to be true. Ryan made the remarks during a discussion at the University of Wisconsin.
“If the reports are true, I don’t think the kind of behavior Matt Gaetz is alleged to have engaged in meets the Biblical standard of ethics and, therefore, I think he should be removed from the committees and caucuses he belongs to,” the former speaker said.
Gaetz is currently the subject of a Justice Department investigation over allegations he violated sex trafficking laws, and he has been voluntarily removed from some House panels in the wake of the emerging scandal. Ryan’s comments reflect a growing consensus that if the allegations are substantiated, stronger action should be taken. He did not specify what sort of action the House should take, but pointedly noted that such behavior is not in line with the standards of the Republican Party.