Rep. George Santos survives expulsion resolution in House vote.

The House of Representatives Votes to Refer Resolution to Expel Rep. George Santos to Ethics Committee

The House of Representatives made a significant move on May 17 by voting to refer a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) to the Ethics Committee. Despite a concerted push to remove the lawmaker due to his alleged crimes, the GOP motion to refer the bill was approved with a vote of 221-204, primarily along party lines, as all Republicans voted in favor. All five Democrats on the Ethics Committee essentially abstained by voting “present.”

Resolution Introduced by Rep. Robert Garcia

The privileged resolution was introduced by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), who attempted to force a vote on the issue, increasing the pressure on House Republicans to take action against the disgraced Republican. Santos, who is a first-term Republican, was charged with 13 federal crimes and arrested on May 10. He was released shortly thereafter and maintains his innocence.

Garcia Calls on Republicans to Take Action

Garcia called on Republicans to take action against Santos after introducing the resolution, saying in a Twitter post: “I’m starting the process of forcing a floor vote on our resolution to expel George Santos from the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans will now have a chance to demonstrate to the American people that an admitted liar and criminal should not serve in Congress.

“George Santos is a fraud and a liar, and he needs to be expelled by the House,” Garcia alleged in his statement posted to Twitter, going on to cite the charges against Santos, saying they should have been the “final straw” for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Santos Reacts to the News

Santos reacted to the news in a statement shared by Punchbowl’s Mica Soellner, saying, “Fortunately, justice is blind in our country, and everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

“Regrettably so[,] Rep. Garcia and the Democrats are playing the roles of bias[ed] judge and jury. Expelling me is silencing 145k+ voters who sent me here to represent them and taking the voice away from 700k people.”

What Happens Next?

Garcia’s resolution is privileged, which means that according to the House Rules and Precedents, the Republican-controlled House was forced to take it up within the next two congressional days. To pass the resolution and remove Santos from Congress, the measure would have needed a two-thirds majority vote, which would have required significant support from both parties.

Summary

• The House of Representatives voted to refer a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) to the Ethics Committee.
• The privileged resolution was introduced by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).
• Garcia called on Republicans to take action against Santos after introducing the resolution.
• Santos was charged with 13 federal crimes and maintains his innocence.
• Garcia’s resolution is privileged, which means that the Republican-controlled House was forced to take it up within the next two congressional days.

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