Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), the chair of the House Ethics Committee, said former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) decision to withdraw from consideration for attorney general “should end the discussion” regarding whether the panel should release its report on the Florida Republican.

The comments from Guest came shortly after Gaetz announced he would bow out of the process to lead the Department of Justice as his path to the Cabinet position looked increasingly unlikely.

“I think that this should end the discussion of whether or not the Ethics Committee should continue to move forward in this matter,” Guest told CBS News when asked for his reaction to Gaetz’s withdrawal. “He has withdrawn his nomination, he is no longer a member of Congress, and so I think his settles any involvement that the Ethics Committee should have in any matters involving Mr. Gaetz.”

Gaetz’s announcement Thursday is the latest curveball thrown at the House Ethics Committee, which had investigated Gaetz on-and-off for roughly three years, saw its probe come to an abrupt end after the Florida Republican resigned from the House, and had been facing heavy pressure to release its report into the ex-lawmaker.

The panel met on Wednesday — its first gathering since Gaetz’s nomination and resignation — but did not release the report after a vote to publish the findings failed along party lines, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill. The committee did, however, vote to formally “complete” its report into Gaetz.

The committee is scheduled to meet next on Dec. 5. The source said members left Wednesday’s meeting with the understanding the report would be “ready” by that gathering, suggesting another vote to release the body of work could take place then.

Gaetz’s announcement, however, is putting that prospect into question, since the Florida Republican is no longer a member of Congress — the panel does not have jurisdiction over ex-lawmakers — and is not nominated for any Cabinet positions.

Asked if he was disappointed at Gaetz’s decision to drop out, Guest told CBS News: “I have no comment on Mr. Gaetz’s decision to either seek the office or not seek the office.”

Guest’s comments could ruffle the feathers of Democrats who sit on the Ethics Committee, who were pushing for the release of Gaetz’s report and voted to do so during Wednesday’s meeting.

The House Ethics Committee opened its investigation into Gaetz in 2021, probing allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. He was also accused of accepting improper gifts, dispensing special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship and seeking to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.

Gaetz was also the subject of an investigation by the Department of Justice, though the agency declined to file charges. The Florida Republican has denied any wrongdoing.

While it remains unclear what path the Ethics Committee will pursue now that Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress or a Cabinet nominee, at least one House Democrat is still pushing for the report’s release.

Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) on Wednesday moved to force a vote on a resolution compelling the Ethics Committee to release its report, teeing up a vote after the Thanksgiving recess. After Thursday’s news, Casten said he is charging ahead with his effort.

“While I welcome the news that Matt Gaetz is withdrawing from consideration for Attorney General, it remains important that the Gaetz report be made available to the American people,” he said in a statement.