House Votes Against Expelling Rep. George Santos Following Federal Criminal Charges

The failed expulsion attempt came after a GOP-led effort to oust the New York Representative

Freshman Rep. George Santos will remain in Congress (at least, for the time being) after an expulsion resolution supported by his fellow New York Republicans failed in the House Wednesday in a 213-179 vote. Nineteen members voted present.

Although a majority of House members voted to expel Santos, the measure required a two-thirds majority.

The failed expulsion attempt came as the result of a GOP-led effort, via a resolution sponsored by five Republican Reps. in Santos' home state of New York: Nick LaLota, Mike Lawler, Nick Langworthy, Marcus Molinaro and Brandon Williams.

Related: New York Republicans Introducing Resolution to Expel George Santos From Congress

In a letter sent to their House colleagues on Wednesday, the Republicans who sponsored the resolution acknowledged that an expulsion "would set a precedent," but said it would be "a positive one."

"Indeed, we should let the American people know if a candidate for Congress lies about everything about himself to get their votes, and then that false identity becomes known by his own admission or otherwise, that House Members will expel the fraudster and give voters a timely opportunity to have proper representation," the letter added.

The Constitution affords both the House and Senate the power to expel members with a two-thirds majority vote. The last successful House expulsion, which requires a two-thirds vote among representatives, was of longtime Democratic Ohio Rep. James Traficant, who was convicted on a host of charges including bribery, defrauding the U.S. and filing false tax returns.

Only five U.S. House members have ever been expelled, and 15 U.S. senators — almost all of whom were ousted during the Civil War for supporting the Confederacy. Other federal lawmakers have been subject to expulsion votes, which either failed or forced resignations before being finalized.

Related: Rep. George Santos Arrested on Charges of Fraud, Money Laundering, Theft of Public Funds and False Statements

The resolution came after Santos was arrested and indicted on 13 criminal counts alleging fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements in May. In October, prosecutors announced they had added 10 new charges to the indictment, bringing the total number of criminal counts against him to 23.

If Santos is convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

"This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations. Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in a release announcing the congressman's May arrest.

Peace continued: "He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully applied for unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and lied to the House of Representatives."

Also in the release, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said that "the defendant's alleged behavior continued during his second run for Congress when he pocketed campaign contributions and used that money to pay down personal debts and buy designer clothing."

The freshman Congressman also allegedly stole people’s identities and then charged his donors’ credit cards without their authorization, often for personal gain. Additionally, prosecutors allege Santos falsified records, created and submitted false campaign reports that listed non-existent loans, and fabricated and stole campaign contributions.

Related: Complaint Against New Rep. George Santos Alleges His Campaign Lied About the 'True Source' of Its Funding

Almost immediately after the Republican newcomer was elected to the House in November, his reputation crumbled when numerous reports emerged about apparent lies he had told on the campaign trail regarding his past, alleged fraud he had committed over the course of several years and even an allegation of sexual harassment.

Related: George Santos Says He's a 'Terrible Liar,' but 'Got Away with It' During 2020 Campaign

The bombshell allegations sparked bipartisan backlash and prompted investigations by the House Ethics Committee, Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, Nassau County District Attorney's Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Despite the mounting controversies — which include dramatically "embellishing" his resume, misleading voters about his heritage, allegedly scamming a veteran out of $3,000 meant for his dog's cancer treatment, and allegedly stealing puppies from Amish dog breeders (he vehemently denies the latter two) — Santos has refused to resign from Congress.

In March, Santos filed paperwork to run for reelection in 2024.

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