The House of Representatives voted 311 – 114 (with two voting present) today, December 1, to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY) from Congress. The lawmaker from Long Island already shook off two previous attempts to end his career – but for the Democrats hoping to oust him, third time’s a charm.
Following the damning results of a House Ethics Committee investigation, Santos has faced expulsion resolutions from both Democrats and his fellow Republicans. The committee concluded that Santos “sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit.” He’s accused of using his campaign money for everything from Botox to OnlyFans subscriptions.
(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Santos has been charged with – and pleaded not guilty to – 23 federal charges, including allegations of fraud related to COVID-19 unemployment benefits, misusing campaign funds, and lying about his personal finances on House disclosure reports.
Despite both Democrats and some of his fellow Republicans wanting Santos gone, there was significant GOP pushback on expelling a member of Congress who has not yet been – and might never be – convicted of anything. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and fellow lawmaker from Louisiana Steve Scalise both announced on X they would not be voting to expel, as did several others.
Social Media support aside, the bipartisan push to be rid of the problematic Santos was simply too great this time, and the Long Island lawmaker was expelled from Congress.
