'Butterfly effect': Report details how Gaetz probe ties into McCarthy ouster

After months of Democratic — and some Republican — lawmakers' urging the House Ethics Committee to release its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz's alleged sexual misconduct, the committee released the report on Monday. While the committee's report "found evidence that Gaetz paid thousands of dollars for sex; violated Florida’s statutory rape law; used cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana illegally; violated the rule on accepting gifts from lobbyists; gave friends special privileges and favors; and tried to obstruct the committee’s investigation," NOTUS reports that the report also sheds light on another issue. The report also "suggests a Gaetz butterfly effect, where the committee’s investigation ties into the downfall of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy," the news outlet emphasizes. “We’re concerned that the fundamental commitments that allowed Kevin McCarthy to assume the speakership have been violated as a consequence of the debt limit deal, and the answer for us is to reassert House conservatives as the appropriate coalition partner for our leadership, instead of them making common cause with Democrats,” NOTUS notes the former Sunshine State congressman said in an interview before McCarthy's ouster. While there was never a direct ask from Gaetz of McCarthy to drop the ethics investigation, the Florida Republican made it clear that’s what he wanted, multiple sources familiar with the dynamic told NOTUS."