In an angry statement ending in vulgarity, Republican former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz expressed outrage after the House Ethics Committee voted in secret to release its report on its years-long investigation into numerous allegations against him, including possible sexual misconduct.

The House Ethics Committee has said it was investigating allegations that Gaetz “may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift, in violation of House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct.”

Calling it a “stark reversal,” CNN, in an exclusive, reported Wednesday that the “House Ethics Committee secretly voted earlier this month to release its report into the conduct of former Rep. Matt Gaetz before the end of this Congress, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the matter.”

READ MORE: Why Aren’t More Democrats Speaking Out Against RFK Jr.’s HHS Nomination?

“The report is now expected to be made public after the House’s final day of votes this year as lawmakers leave Washington for the holidays, those sources said.”

CNN also noted that the House Ethics Committee’s vote last month to not release the report was made when Gaetz was Trump’s nominee to become Attorney General. “Since then, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for the Senate-confirmed post, though he maintains frosty relations with many in his party and is still active in GOP politics.”

Last month, NBC reported that a “woman told the House Ethics Committee that she saw Matt Gaetz, who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the U.S. attorney general, have sex with a minor, her lawyer said.”

Gaetz released a statement declaring that he had been “FULLY EXONERATED” by the Biden Dept. of Justice. The DOJ reportedly only declined to bring charges against the former Congressman.

“The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes,” Gaetz’s statement reads. “I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me.”

“Then, the very ‘witnesses’ DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued. Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body.”

RELATED: ‘This Is a Lie’: RFK Jr. Criticized by Experts, Including Trump Surgeon General

Some found the next portion of his statement of particular interest.

“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court. My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too.”

“It’s embarrassing, though not criminal,” Gaetz concluded, “that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”

“But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that f*ck over the country!” he added, referring to the controversial continuing resolution the House passed that will keep the federal government open and running past Friday’s midnight deadline.

Longtime Capitol Hill correspondent Jamie Dupree noted that “Gaetz resigned from Congress seemingly in a bid to stop the public release of the ethics report. Now he complains that as a former member, he can’t rebut the report about him.”

RELATED: ‘Total Dumpster Fire’: Republican Destroys Speaker’s ‘Garbage’ CR to Keep Government Open

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes the rounds on Capitol Hill, talking this week with Republican senators about his contentious nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, and as the media continues to unearth even more highly controversial statements the anti-vaccine advocate has made, almost 20 GOP lawmakers have begun to voice their support for the Trump nominee, while Democrats, widely expected to vote against confirmation, by comparison have been less vocal and less definitive.

The Washington Post is tracking the positions of all senators on RFK Jr.’s confirmation.

Currently, there are 19 Republicans indicating a “yes” vote or leaning to “yes,” and 18 Democrats indicating a “no” vote or leaning to “no.” Of the 19 Republicans, nine have already stated they will vote “yes.” Of the 18 Democrats, only four have said they will vote “no.”

U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is among the nine GOP lawmakers who are backing the Kennedy scion’s bid to lead HHS.

On Tuesday, Scott issued a strong statement of support.

“Very impressive,” Scott, a former top healthcare executive, told Fox Business (video below). “I mean, here’s a guy that wants to focus on health. It’s called Health and Human Services. Health. Not sickness. So he wants to make us healthy. That’s exactly what we ought to do. I ran the biggest hospital company. I know we got to figure out how to get people healthy, that’s what he’s going to do. I think he’s going to do a great job.”

“With regard to vaccines, if you listen to what he says, he is pro-vaccine,” Scott continued, despite RFK Jr. stating just last year, “there is no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective.”

RELATED: ‘This Is a Lie’: RFK Jr. Criticized by Experts, Including Trump Surgeon General

“What he wants is, give you information so you can decide what you put into your body, or your child’s body. It makes all the sense in the world to me.”

Rick Scott describes RFK Jr as “very impressive” and claims “he’s pro-vaccine” pic.twitter.com/eUGwFGl157

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 17, 2024

As head of the nation’s largest for-profit health care facility operator, Rick Scott’s company several decades ago defrauded federal government programs including Medicare and Medicaid. Scott, under pressure, resigned during the investigation. The company was convicted of 14 felonies and ultimately was forced to pay $1.7 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the nation’s history at the time.

In 1997, The New York Times called Scott the “executive who became the most visible symbol of profit-driven medical care,” and reported that he had “stepped down … as the top officer of the Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, amid a criminal investigation of whether the company’s pursuit of profits has stretched beyond the legal limits.”

Rick Scott describes RFK Jr as “very impressive” and claims “he’s pro-vaccine” pic.twitter.com/eUGwFGl157

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 17, 2024

The four Democratic Senators who have voiced a hard “no,” according to The Post, are: Patty Murray of Washington, Alex Padilla of California, Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Ed Markey of Massachusetts.

“We can’t let the conspiracy theorists drive this debate and undermine public health,” Senator Murray remarked, according to The Post.

“His nomination to lead HHS is a threat to children and families everywhere,” Senator Padilla observed.

“He is totally unqualified for this job,” Senator Durbin declared.

“What we cannot do is sign off on nominees who would be a danger to the public health,” Senator Markey said.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) vowed to “vet him very, very closely,” but has not indicated which way she is voting or leaning.

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), leaning no, said: “I’m not going to really take any kind of advice [from] a dude that chainsaws whale heads and delivers dead bears into a park.”

Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), also leaning no, remarked, “Just what we need. A guy with brain worms running the Department of Health and Human Services.”

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who is listed as “leaning no,” by The Post, has recorded two videos against RFK Jr.’s confirmation, including one early Tuesday evening.

Just a reminder that in 2019, RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine misinformation campaign helped cause a measles outbreak in Samoa that killed 83 people, mostly kids.

Do you really want him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services? pic.twitter.com/NlW7CvP69X

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 17, 2024

RELATED: RFK Jr., Embracing Far-Right, Spoke at Fundraiser for Anti-Government Group With J6 Ties

But even some Republican Senators have voiced apprehension:

“I’m very concerned, being the incoming chairman of agriculture,” Senator John Boozman (R-AR) said.

“I have never flinched from confronting specious disinformation that threatens the advance of lifesaving medical progress,” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who fought polio as a child, remarked.

“Our Iditarod race was all about getting the diphtheria vaccine to save a whole community,” Senator Lisa Murkowski declared.

“If he has a different point of view [on vaccines], then he’ll have to explain,” said Senator Mike Rounds.

In addition to his statements against vaccines, including comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust, Kennedy’s confirmation process is also expected to be challenging given his lack of relevant experience, his promotion of conspiracy theories, and public scrutiny over his personal life.

“In addition to his lack of credentials or relevant experience in medicine, science, public health, or administration,” 77 Nobel laureates wrote in a letter earlier this month, “Mr. Kennedy has been an opponent of many health-protecting and life-saving vaccines, such as those that prevent measles and polio; a critic of the well-established positive effects of fluoridation of drinking water; a promoter of conspiracy theories about remarkably successful treatments for AIDS and other diseases; and a belligerent critic of respected agencies (especially the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Institutes of Health).”

Watch the videos above or at this link.

READ MORE: ‘Should Be Looked At’: Trump Again Speaks Against Mandates for Childhood Diseases Vaccines

Image via Reuters

Correction: This article has been updated to correctly spell the Congressman’s last name.

MAGA U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) is blasting Mike Johnson over the Speaker’s bipartisan legislation to keep the government running past the Friday midnight deadline and through the middle of March, calling it a “total dumpster fire” and “garbage.”

Asked about the continuing resolution (CR), which includes $100 billion in disaster relief for areas hit hard by hurricanes Helene and Milton, Congressman Burlison declared, “it’s a total dumpster fire.”

“I think it’s garbage,” he said in remarks aired by C-SPAN (video below).

“I think that it’s it’s shameful that people that celebrate DOGE coming in, and yet we’re gonna vote for another billion dollars to be added to the deficit,” Burlison added, referring to the new “Department of Government Efficiency,” which is not an actual federal government agency.

“And so um it it’s ironic,” Burlison continued. “Um, personally, I’m disappointed.”

READ MORE: ‘This Is a Lie’: RFK Jr. Criticized by Experts, Including Trump Surgeon General

The Missouri Republican also criticized the Speaker’s performance. CNN reports that Burlison has refused to commit to backing Johnson for Speaker next month.

“I think that he he can do better. Um, he can communicate better. The fact that we haven’t seen the language [on the bill] today, and we’re supposed to vote on it this week is is unacceptable,” Burlison added.

Burlison also talked to Newsmax, effectively attacking Speaker Johnson as no different than Nancy Pelosi when she was Speaker of the House, claiming she dropped legislation on Congress with not enough time to read it.

“I was frustrated before I came here,” Burlison said. “Now I’m more frustrated that I’m here and I see how how horrific and and and how much of a disaster that our fiscal situation is, and the lack of that appetites actually to do anything about it, is is disgusting to me. And so, I, I expected more from my Republican colleagues.”

“I expect more from from my Speaker, to be the conservative that I thought that he was, but instead, we’re gonna push through, um, you know, a hundreds of billion dollar package that’s gonna add more debt to the to the to our debt, our deficit to our debt, and it’s and we’re gonna you know, continue this reckless process — look, we we complained about Nancy Pelosi dropping thousands of pages of an omnibus bill before Christmas. How is this any different?”

The continuing resolution keeps the federal government running, avoids a costly and disruptive shutdown right before the Christmas and New Year holidays, and in addition to hurricane relief aid, gives farmers $10 billion in aid.

“Agricultural aid had emerged as a key sticking point in recent days and the agreement comes after some Republicans threatened to vote against the stopgap measure if it did not include economic assistance for farm families,” The Hill reported.

READ MORE: ‘Should Be Looked At’: Trump Again Speaks Against Mandates for Childhood Diseases Vaccines

Congressman Burlison earlier this month posted a “message to GOP Senators who don’t want to confirm Trump’s nominees.”

“Trump took a bullet to the head and then dragged you into the majority. The American people sent a mandate and the American people are watching.”

Watch the videos below or at this link.

pic.twitter.com/VqHVG6Sbt6

— Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) December 17, 2024

GOP Rep. Eric Burlison: “I expect more from my Speaker to be the conservative that I thought he was.” pic.twitter.com/h3YXooecve

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 17, 2024

READ MORE: ‘Trump ’28, Come on, Man!’: Bannon Calls for Third Term

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license