On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) filed a formal ethics complaint against Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) in response to him assaulting Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-02) in the halls of the Capitol complex.
In his complaint, Rep. Gaetz highlights Rep. McCarthy’s clear breach of the binding Code of Official Conduct for Members by assaulting a House colleague following today’s Republican Conference meeting. The assault, witnessed by numerous people, was described by Rep. Burchett as a “sucker punch” and a “clean shot to the kidney.” While Rep. Burchett can himself decide whether to press charges, Rep. Gaetz’s complaint will force the House Ethics Committee to investigate the former Speaker’s behavior.
Full text of Rep. Gaetz’s formal ethics complaint against Rep. McCarthy can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage of the ethics complaint by CNN can be found HERE.
TEXT OF ETHICS COMPLAINT:
Chairman Guest and Ranking Member Wild:
It has come to my attention that this morning, November 14, 2023, following a meeting of the House Republican Conference, Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) assaulted Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) in the hallways of Capitol complex. This assault was witnessed by numerous people, including Claudia Griseles of NPR, who was interviewing Rep. Burchett at the time.
For his part, Rep. Burchett has described the attack as a “sucker punch” and “a clean shot to the kidney.”
Needless to say, this incident deserves immediate and swift investigation by the Ethics Committee. This Congress has seen a substantial increase in breaches of decorum unlike anything we have seen since the pre-Civil War era. I myself have been a victim of outrageous conduct on the House floor as well, but nothing like an open and public assault on a Member, committed by another Member. The rot starts at the top.
While Rep. Burchett is within his rights to decline to press charges against Rep. McCarthy, your Committee does have a duty to investigate breaches of the binding Code of Official Conduct, whose first rule is that “A Member… shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.” There is substantial evidence that Rep. McCarthy breached this duty.
Given Rep. Burchett’s comments on the matter, and the statements of public witnesses, I request the House Committee on Ethics to proceed immediately with an investigation into the facts of today’s incident, including interviewing, under oath, the alleged assailant and assailee, and any witnesses.
I swear or affirm that the foregoing facts in this complaint are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge, this 14th Day of November, 2023.
Sincerely,
Matt Gaetz
Member of Congress
