WASHINGTON — The future of embattled GOP Representative George Santos in Congress hangs in the balance as the House prepares to vote on a resolution that aims to expel him. The resolution is being led by fellow New York Republicans who have circulated a letter calling it a “moral” issue and urging their colleagues to vote in favor of expulsion.
Five GOP lawmakers from New York, including first-term Representatives Nick LaLota, Anthony D’Esposito, Marcus Molinaro, Brandon Williams, and Mike Lawler, have expressed concerns about expelling Santos before he’s been criminally convicted. They also fear that expelling him would further narrow the Republicans’ already slim majority in the House. These five Republicans are facing competitive races next year.
The letter states that while expelling Santos would set a precedent, it would be a positive one. It suggests that if a candidate for Congress lies about themselves to gain votes, and their false identity is later revealed, House Members should expel them to give voters an opportunity for proper representation. The letter argues that Santos’ lies were not just exaggerations but rather defined him and were the basis of his nomination, election, and defrauding of donors.
Santos has pleaded not guilty to 23 federal charges, including stealing campaign donors’ identities and making unauthorized charges on their credit cards, falsifying campaign finance reports, money laundering, and other crimes. On the House floor, Representative D’Esposito referred to Santos as “a stain on this institution” and declared that he is unfit to serve his constituents. Santos, on the other hand, claimed that the expulsion effort is politically motivated and warns of the dangerous precedent it would set.
To successfully expel Santos, a two-thirds majority vote is required in the House, meaning approximately 80 Republicans would need to vote with all Democrats in favor of expulsion. Since 1861, only five representatives have been expelled. The resolution includes multiple justifications for expulsion, including Santos’ criminal charges and the lies he told about his background before being elected.
The House will vote on the resolution along with other matters, including resolutions to censure GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib. The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating Santos and will announce its next course of action by November 17. Depending on the committee’s findings, Santos could face censure, expulsion, or other punishments, which would then require another House vote.
Santos has made it clear that he will not interfere with his colleagues’ decision, stating that he will not beg for his constitutional rights.
