House Of Representatives Set To Vote To Determine George Santos’ Fate

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives will hold a vote to determine if they will expel New York Congressman George Santos.

Santos, who has admitted to making numerous false claims during his campaign and his short tenure in Congress, is also facing criminal charges related to fraudulent financial schemes.

The resolution to oust him from the House comes from fellow Republicans from his home state of New York.

George Santos: “It’s unconscionable to think that this body who is at war with the DOJ over their politically motivated practices would blindly accept their accusation against a member of another branch of government.” pic.twitter.com/CUkWsL4nGK

— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) November 1, 2023

However, the motion, which was introduced by Representative Anthony D’Esposito of New York, faces a high hurdle because it requires approval from two-thirds of the House lawmakers voting.

Which means they will need every Democrat and 77 Republicans to vote to expel Mr. Santos, assuming all 433 members vote on the matter.

From the New York Times:

Republicans hold a majority so narrow that Mr. Santos’s vote remains crucial to their agenda. Speaker Mike Johnson, who was elected last week, has said he does not support removing Mr. Santos without due process. And many members of Congress have expressed concern that removing Mr. Santos from office ahead of a criminal proceeding or a report by the House Ethics Committee would set a dangerous precedent.

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Rep. Lawler on expelling George Santos: “There is not enough time to go through the litany of lies that Mr. Santos has engaged in during his campaign and during his time in Congress…I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of Mr. Santos’ expulsion.” pic.twitter.com/0Upa2WaTM9

— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) November 1, 2023

But Mr. D’Esposito and a cohort of first-term New York Republicans in vulnerable swing district seats have said that there is sufficient evidence that Mr. Santos is no longer fit to serve.

On Wednesday, they sent a letter to the entire House addressing their colleagues’ objections. In a debate ahead of the vote, they made impassioned speeches on the House floor urging fellow lawmakers to remove him.

In new letter, US House Republicans from New York urge colleagues to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY)

"We agree it would set a precedent, but a positive one" pic.twitter.com/GpkznksrwB

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) November 1, 2023

“We’re going to set a new precedent today, that we are against lying fraudsters coming to the House of Representatives,” Mr. D’Esposito said. Still, he later acknowledged that he and his allies might not have the votes they needed to expel.

In response, Mr. Santos attacked Mr. D’Esposito and his allies for prioritizing politics over the need for due process. “They believe that by attempting to expel me they will garner political points, capitalize on political fund-raising and receive congratulations from those who do not approve of my voting record,” he said.

George Santos: “We cannot speak out of both sides of our mouth. Promising to uphold the principles of the Constitution, while simultaneously trampling on the principles that underpin our fundamental rights granted by the Constitution, is hypocrisy.” pic.twitter.com/YP2twWxBD7

— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) November 1, 2023

If the measure were to succeed, it would consign Mr. Santos — who has falsely claimed ties to the Holocaust, Sept. 11 and the Pulse nightclub shooting — to a genuine place in history.

He would become the first representative since the Civil War to be removed from office without a criminal conviction, and only the sixth member of the House to be expelled in the body’s history.