Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) expressed his opposition to removing Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from the House of Representatives, citing concerns about setting a negative precedent.
The resolution to remove Santos fell short with a vote of 179 to 213, as 31 Democrats joined 182 Republicans in rejecting it. A two-thirds majority was required for it to pass.
Santos is facing 23 felony counts, including wire fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft. Calls for his resignation have been mounting since it was revealed that he had falsified his background and qualifications during his campaign.
Raskin, known for his progressive stance, opposed the resolution on the grounds of upholding the Constitution.
“Santos has not yet been convicted of the offenses mentioned in the resolution, nor has he been found guilty of ethics violations through the House’s internal processes,” stated Raskin, who has a background as a constitutional law professor and attorney, in a statement to Axios’ Andrew Solender.
Raskin pointed out that only five individuals have ever been expelled from the House of Representatives, three of whom fought against the U.S. government during the Civil War, and two who were convicted of criminal offenses.
He clarified that he would vote in favor of expelling Santos if he is found guilty in either investigation.
“There are at least four or five Democratic members that the Republicans would like to expel without conviction or adverse ethics findings,” Raskin told Axios. “We cannot abandon due process and the rule of law in the House of Representatives.”
Several other progressive representatives, including Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), also voted against the resolution. Rep. Rob Menendez Jr. (D-N.J.), whose father, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), has refused to resign despite facing bribery charges, joined them in opposition.
A Republican representative, Anthony D’Esposito of New York, introduced the expulsion resolution as the leader of a group of GOP lawmakers advocating for Santos’ removal.
Santos is running for reelection in 2024. His criminal trial is set to begin in mid-September, just two months before the election.
