Matt Gaetz Suggests Voting For Mike Johnsons' Spending Bill is Worse Than 'Embarrassing' Past of Womanizing and Partying

Former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz seemed to try and get ahead of what is set to be a damning report from the House Ethics Committee about alleged misconduct on Wednesday.

In a lengthy post on X, he admitted to "embarrassing" actions that, however, said were not criminal. And jumped on the issue currently dominating the political conversation at the moment: the Continuing Resolution (CR) aimed at averting a government shutdown on Friday that is being criticized by several Republicans.

Gaetz said he "probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life," but that "at least I didn't vote for CR's that f--k over the country!"

Several Republicans have been voicing their opposition to the bill. It has been dubbed the "Cramnibus" by the House Freedom Caucus and one of its members, Rep. Andy Ogles, said it could prompt a leadership challenge next month, according to the POLITICO Playbook. Moderate Republican Nicole Malliotakis said she could also vote against it, the outlet added.

Moreover, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene issued an ominous warning for Mike Johnson should he move forward with the bill. "The Christmas CR lump of coal comes with a warning. Beware the Ides of March.." said Greene in a post on her X account, a reference to the warning given to Roman emperor Julius Caesar in the eponymous Shakespeare play regarding the date in which he would be assassinated.

Gaetz said he is not planning on returning to Congress after his failed nomination to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general, but is set to continue being part of the conservative ecosystem as a news anchor for One America News network.

The former Rep. took a blow on Wednesday after news surfaced that the House Ethics Committee report on alleged misconduct is set to be released after an uncommon reversal by its members, CNN reported.

The outlet noted that is extremely rare for such reports to be released, but there is precedent. Gaetz stands accused of sexual misconduct, using illegal drugs, using campaign funds for personal use and accepting bribes, among several other allegations. He has fiercely denied all accusations.

Several details allegedly included in the probe were leaked and made public as Gaetz continued to fight to keep his nomination alive. Among them are allegations that he had two sexual encounters with a 17-year-old, one of them also including an adult woman.

All five Republicans in the committee initially voted to withhold the publication of the years-long investigation as the party closed ranks behind him and House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would "strongly request" it be shelved after his resignation.

However, sources quoted by CNN said the committee secretly voted to release the report earlier this month. It is still unclear how many Republicans changed their votes and who, but the investigation is now set to be made public as lawmakers leave Washington D.C. for the holidays.

Gaetz again rejected any criminal wrongdoing in his X post, recalling that an investigation by the Department of Justice did not charge him. "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," he said.

"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," Gaetz added. And while he said some of his actions are "embarrassing," voting for the CR is worse.