Resolution to expel Rep. George Santos from the House fails

A resolution to expel Republican lawmaker George Santos, R-N.Y., failed in the House on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The Republican-led initiative sought to expel the freshman Congressman after his past lies about his personal history and amid a slew of indictments, including federal fraud charges, make him unfit for office.

Rep. George Santos (R-NY) yields time to Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY):

“Thank you very much, Mr. Santos. *2 seconds later* I rise today in support of this resolution to expel George Santos from Congress.” pic.twitter.com/xvqKsMwQUt

— The Recount (@therecount) November 1, 2023

The push for his expulsion was organized by fellow New York Republicans, with Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., taking the lead. The resolution, which needed a two-thirds majority vote to pass, failed in a 179 to 213 vote with 19 members voting present.

“This would be a terrible precedent to set, expelling people who have not been convicted of a crime and without internal due process.”

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.

Thirty-one Democrats joined 158 Republicans in voting against expelling Santos. Twenty-four Republicans voted with 155 Democrats in favor of the resolution to expel Santos.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said in a statement that he stands by the Constitution and expelling Santo’s now, who has not yet been criminally convicted, would set a dangerous precedent.

NEW: Jamie Raskin says of his vote against expelling George Santos: "I'm a Constitution guy."

Says he will "certainly vote to expel" Santos if he's convicted, but "until then, it’s a very risky road to go down and we have to stick by due process and the rule of law" pic.twitter.com/U71OHIs8oB

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) November 2, 2023

There have been bipartisan calls for Santos to resign after he admitted to lying about his education and employment while on the campaign trail. Santos pleaded not guilty in court last week to 23 counts of felony charges, including wire fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, and falsifying records.

Santos is also being investigated by the House Ethics Committee, which said on Tuesday, Oct. 31, it will have an announcement on a course of action on Nov. 17. Santos’ criminal trial is set for mid-September.

Five people since the United States’ existence have been expelled from the House.

• John B. Clark, July 13, 1861
• John W. Reid, Dec. 2, 1861
• Henry C. Burnett, Dec. 3, 1861
• Michael J. Myers, Oct. 2, 1980
• James A. Traficant, July 24, 2002

Three of the men were expelled for fighting against the U.S. government during the Civil War; the other two were convicted of criminal charges, including bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery.