Embattled Republican Representative George Santos is facing the possibility of expulsion from the US House of Representatives. The vote, initiated by members of his own party, comes in the wake of 23 charges filed against Santos, including identity theft and fraud. While Santos denies the allegations and refuses to resign, pressure has been mounting for him to step down.
This move to expel Santos is a rare occurrence in the House of Representatives. According to the US House Archives, only five lawmakers have ever been expelled, and the process requires a two-thirds majority vote. In recent decades, only two congressmen have been expelled, both after being convicted of federal charges.
Santos’ scandals are some of the most serious faced by a member of Congress in recent years. He has been accused of fabricating his education and experience, violating campaign finance laws, making false claims about his family history, and even creating a bogus charity for personal gain.
Federal prosecutors have charged Santos with a range of crimes, including wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. He currently faces a total of 23 federal charges. Despite these damaging allegations and indictments, Santos has been permitted to remain in Congress until now.
The push for Santos’ expulsion is being led by fellow Republicans from his home state of New York. These representatives claim that Santos’ conduct, as well as the ongoing investigations and indictments, justify his removal from office. However, their re-election chances may be at risk, as their districts were won by Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
The expulsion vote will have significant consequences for the Republican party, who currently hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives. Losing Santos’ vote would further diminish their control and influence over legislation.
As Santos continues to deny the charges and assert his right to due process, the future of his political career hangs in the balance. The forthcoming vote will determine whether he remains in office or becomes one of the few lawmakers in history to be expelled from the House of Representatives.
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