The controversial saga involving Rep. George Santos may finally come to an end on Capitol Hill this week. Although his legal battles will continue well into 2024, the House is expected to vote on expelling the indicted New York Republican congressman. A scathing Ethics Committee report recently revealed that Santos had misused campaign funds for personal expenses, including luxury trips, cosmetic treatments, and even a subscription to an adult content site. Additionally, the report concluded that Santos intentionally deceived his donors and filed false campaign finance statements. While Santos has pleaded not guilty to the charges, Chairman Michael Guest of the Ethics Committee believes expulsion is an appropriate remedy.
As the House returns this week, Guest is set to force a vote on expelling Santos. Previously, many of Santos’ fellow New York Republicans had defended him, arguing that he should have had due process. However, after the release of the damning ethics report, several of them have changed their stance and now plan to vote for his removal. Despite the mounting pressure, Santos remains determined to stand for the expulsion vote, expressing confidence that he will become only the sixth person in history to be expelled from the House.
If Santos is indeed expelled, a special election will be triggered for his competitive Long Island-based seat. This presents an opportunity for Democrats, as the Cook Political Report rates the race as “Lean Democrat.” Furthermore, his expulsion would narrow the Republicans’ majority, making it even more challenging for Speaker Mike Johnson to pass legislation in the face of GOP absences or defections.
Throughout his time in Washington, Santos has been no stranger to controversy. This week will be no different, as activists from the progressive group MoveOn Political Action plan to showcase a 15-foot inflatable figure of Santos on Capitol Hill, demanding his resignation.
Despite the brewing turmoil, the timing of the expulsion vote remains uncertain. However, Santos has stated that his conversation with Speaker Johnson was positive, and he intends to stand for the expulsion vote instead of resigning. He believes that his expulsion would set a precedent and shed light on who holds power in Congress.
It is worth noting that expulsion of members of Congress is incredibly rare. Historically, only three members have been expelled for their involvement in fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War, while two others were expelled following their convictions for federal offenses. Santos now faces numerous federal charges, including identity theft, money laundering, and public fund theft, with his trial scheduled for September.
Despite the impending expulsion vote, Santos remains steadfast, claiming that he will wear his potential expulsion as a badge of honor. He voiced his frustration with the perceived lack of due process in Congress and expressed his desire to move on from the insanity of the political landscape.
Santos’ fate now rests in the hands of his colleagues, as they will decide whether to remove him from office. The upcoming weeks are sure to be eventful on Capitol Hill as the George Santos saga draws closer to its conclusion.
