Democratic Representative Urges Immediate Vote to Oust Rep. George Santos from Congress

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On Tuesday, a Democratic Representative initiated a move to prompt a vote within the week aimed at removing Rep. George Santos from the House. This action comes as a response to a critical ethics report implicating Santos in misappropriating campaign funds and misleading donors. The urgency for this vote, according to Rep. Robert Garcia of California, is heightened due to the Republican party’s inaction despite these revelations.

Rep. Garcia had previously introduced similar legislation in February to seek Santos’ expulsion. Although initially thwarted by Republican efforts, the recent conclusions from the Ethics Committee’s extensive inquiry into Santos’ conduct have revitalized Garcia’s resolve for immediate action.

Garcia is determined to ensure the vote takes place this week. Ousting Santos, a New York Republican, necessitates a two-thirds majority in the House. Garcia is confident of achieving this, which would mark Santos as only the sixth House member to be expelled by peers, and the third since the Civil War era.

Despite facing potential expulsion, Santos remains defiant, challenging the Congress to proceed. He expressed on X, the platform once known as Twitter, that the American public deserves transparency regarding the decision-makers in Congress.

Santos has withstood two previous attempts at expulsion. The first, based on Garcia’s resolution, was diverted to the Ethics Committee on the recommendation of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The second attempt, led by New York Republicans earlier this month, also did not succeed.

The decision to await the Ethics Committee’s investigation completion was a key factor for many who opposed earlier expulsion votes. Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California noted that traditionally, expulsion follows felony conviction. However, the severity of the findings in Santos’ case has led her to support expulsion this time.

The Ethics Committee’s report, released on November 16, was forthright in its condemnation of Santos, accusing him of extensive fraudulent activities for personal gain. Despite not recommending a specific course of action against Santos, the committee’s findings were clear on his misconduct.

Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, the committee chairman, subsequently proposed a resolution to expel Santos, citing substantial evidence from the investigation. However, a vote on this resolution has not yet been scheduled. House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated ongoing discussions about the House’s next steps.

Garcia remains optimistic about the bipartisan support for either the Democratic or Republican resolution, expecting a resounding vote for expulsion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about George Santos Expulsion Vote

More about George Santos Expulsion Vote

• George Santos Ethics Report
• Robert Garcia’s Motion for Expulsion Vote
• House Ethics Committee Findings
• Previous Expulsion Attempts of George Santos
• Congressional Expulsion Process Explained
• Historical Precedents for House Expulsions