House Ethics panel to meet as demand grows for Gaetz report

• Gaetz's departure from Congress takes him out of the committee's jurisdiction, but many Democrats and even some Republicans say the report should be released as the Senate considers Gaetz's nomination.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said he is leaning on the panel not to release the report because it would set a "terrible precedent."

What we're hearing: The Wednesday meeting is expected to touch on "multiple matters" of which the Gaetz report is likely to be one, one of the sources told Axios.

• The other source said that any vote on the Gaetz report is likely to be "pro forma" due to GOP leadership's opposition to releasing it.
• "We already know how it comes out," the source said, referring to the likelihood of the report not being released.

• The meeting, which comes after a previously scheduled meeting last week was cancelled, was first reported by Politico.

Zoom in: Unlike most committees, the Ethics panel is split evenly between Democrats and Republicans — and thus uniform opposition from either side can halt any action.

• Since June, the committee has been looking into a variety of allegations against Gaetz including sex trafficking, accepting improper gifts and illicit drug use, all of which he has denied.
• A spokesperson for the House Ethics Committee declined to comment.