In a landmark decision, the United States House of Representatives voted 311-114 on Friday, December 2, 2023, to expel Republican Congressman George Santos from New York. The decision came amid a criminal indictment against Santos for campaign finance violations and an ongoing ethics investigation into his alleged misconduct.
Santos, who was elected to the House in November 2022, has faced mounting scrutiny since taking office. He has been accused of fabricating his resume, misrepresenting his background, and using campaign funds for personal expenses. In addition, he is facing felony charges for failing to disclose a $700,000 debt judgment against him.
The House vote to expel Santos marks the first time in over a century that a member of Congress has been removed from office for reasons other than death or resignation. The decision sends a strong message that ethical misconduct will not be tolerated in the House of Representatives.
Key Points
- The House voted 311-114 to expel George Santos from the House of Representatives.
- Santos is facing a criminal indictment for campaign finance violations and an ongoing ethics investigation into his alleged misconduct.
- Santos has been accused of fabricating his resume, misrepresenting his background, and using campaign funds for personal expenses.
- The decision to expel Santos is the first time in over a century that a member of Congress has been removed from office for reasons other than death or resignation.
Reaction
The decision to expel Santos has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the House for taking a stand against corruption, while others have expressed concern about the precedent set by the vote.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in a statement that the vote was “necessary to protect the integrity of the House.”
“The House has a responsibility to hold its members to the highest ethical standards,” McCarthy said. “Mr. Santos’s actions have fallen short of those standards, and he can no longer serve as a member of this body.”
Santos, who has denied all wrongdoing, has vowed to appeal the decision.