Republican Congressman George Santos faced a vote for expulsion in the U.S. House of Representatives due to multiple federal charges.
Santos has pleaded not guilty to all charges and defended his right to due process.
The resolution to expel Santos was introduced by fellow GOP lawmakers from New York, but failed to pass in the House.
Republican Congressman George Santos, who represents New York, faced a vote for expulsion in the U.S. House of Representatives. Santos has been indicted on 23 federal charges, including laundering funds for personal expenses, illegally receiving unemployment benefits, and charging donors' credit cards without consent. He has also been accused of reporting a false $500,000 campaign loan and lying to the House about his assets. Despite these serious allegations, Santos has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The resolution to expel Santos was introduced by a group of his fellow freshman GOP congressmen from New York. The move was seen as politically motivated, with some suggesting that the lawmakers, who all represent swing districts won by President Joe Biden in 2020, were concerned that Santos' legal troubles could complicate their paths to reelection.
However, the resolution to expel Santos failed to pass in the House. The final vote was 179 in favor to 213 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for expulsion. Most Republicans and 31 Democrats opted to withhold punishment while Santos' criminal trial and a House Ethics Committee investigation proceed. Some lawmakers voiced concerns about expelling Santos before his case in federal court is resolved.
Throughout the process, Santos defended himself vigorously. He accused his colleagues of prioritizing petty politics and acting as 'judge, jury, and executioner.' He also emphasized his right to due process and maintained his innocence.
Most Republicans and 31 Democrats opted to withhold punishment while his criminal trial and a House Ethics Committee investigation proceed.
Some Republicans and Democrats voiced concerns about expelling Santos before his case in federal court is resolved.
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The only Democratic lawmaker to speak during the debate was Rep. Dan Goldman. He said Santos should have been expelled in May when Democrats brought an expulsion resolution, and the only reason the New York Republicans were leading the effort now was because Santos “hangs like an albatross around the necks of every single Republican from New York.”
Santos is facing 23 felony charges, including wire fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds.
The five GOP lawmakers all represent swing districts in New York won by President Joe Biden in 2020; Santos' legal troubles could complicate their paths to reelection.
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The measure was introduced by a group of Santos' fellow freshman GOP congressmen from New York. Santos defended himself, denied culpability in the criminal charges against him and accused his fellow Republicans of playing politics.
Santos, a New York lawmaker, pleaded not guilty to a 23-count federal indictment accusing him of crimes including laundering funds for personal expenses, illegally receiving unemployment benefits, and charging donors' credit cards without consent.
Expelling Santos could impact the Republicans' narrow majority, as a replacement would be selected in a special election.
The corruption charges also include reporting a false $500,000 campaign loan and lying to the House about his assets.