House Republicans are considering disciplinary action against Rep. Susan Wild, the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee, following allegations of leaked information regarding an investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
The Washington Examiner reported that Wild’s alleged leaks have sparked calls for a censure resolution, which must be addressed before Congress adjourns in January.
Discussions around potential disciplinary measures have intensified as Rep. Scott Perry revealed he was approached to introduce a censure resolution targeting Wild.
Perry, who has been vocal with concerns about confidentiality breaches, criticized the handling of the investigation.
Perry, central to the ongoing discussions, expressed frustration with what he called unethical actions within the committee. “House Ethics discussions are confidential, and House Ethics has no jurisdiction over individuals not serving in Congress. There must be consequences for ‘leaking,’” he stated.
Punchbowl News reported that Perry played a key role in discussions earlier this week on whether to bring the matter to the House floor for a vote.
While it remains uncertain if Republicans will proceed with the resolution, Perry’s public remarks have placed significant attention on Wild’s role in the controversy.
Amid the fallout, Wild’s recent absence from Ethics Committee meetings has drawn scrutiny. Reports suggest her absence coincided with suspicions that she was involved in leaking details about the Gaetz investigation.
Her office, however, offered a different explanation. Jed Ober, Wild’s chief of staff, defended her position, stating, “Rep. Wild was frustrated by the manner in which the report was handled and didn’t feel it was fruitful to participate in any further meetings on its ‘potential’ release.”
Ober dismissed allegations of misconduct as inaccurate and emphasized that Wild’s actions were driven by frustrations with the committee’s process.
The Ethics Committee, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, has struggled to reach an agreement on whether to release the findings of the Gaetz investigation. This deadlock has left the status of the report in limbo.
Some House Democrats, including Reps. Sean Casten and Steve Cohen pushed to force the report’s release through privileged resolutions. However, their efforts were defeated by Republican opposition.
Republicans, for their part, have not ruled out releasing the report in the future. Some members have suggested that the findings could be made public if Gaetz decides to re-enter public office.
Wild’s situation has reignited broader concerns about the integrity of the Ethics Committee and its ability to maintain confidentiality. House Speaker Mike Johnson weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the importance of protecting sensitive committee proceedings.
“We can’t set that as a precedent,” Johnson stated, signaling his support for potential action against breaches of confidentiality.
Perry further underscored the importance of accountability, saying, “How can anyone have any faith in the House Ethics Committee when one of its own members is engaged in unethical practices?”
With Congress set to adjourn in January, the timeline for addressing the censure resolution is tight. If Republicans decide to proceed, the resolution must be introduced on the House floor next week.
As the debate continues, the outcome could set a significant precedent for how leaks and ethical breaches are handled within the House.
For now, the committee remains gridlocked on the Gaetz investigation, with little clarity on whether the report will see the light of day.
