NY Republicans back Dem-led effort to censure Rep. George Santos.

Brandon DreyJuly 18, 2023

Republicans Express Support for Censuring Rep. ‌George Santos

At least ⁢five New ⁢York Republicans have voiced⁢ their⁣ support for a House ‌Democrat-led resolution to censure fellow statesman Rep. George Santos (R-NY) after he was indicted earlier this year on several campaign-related charges.

“I was the first to⁣ call for his resignation,” stated Rep. Anthony‌ D’Esposito (R-NY) in an interview with Axios.‍ “I’ve publicly‍ stated that he is a stain on our institution, and I would ⁣vote to ‍censure him.”

House ‌Democrats are currently preparing‌ to ⁤force a‌ vote ⁢on ‍censuring the embattled representative. They aim to bring it⁢ to the floor before ⁢the end of‌ the August recess, unless the Ethics ⁤Committee‍ proceeds with⁣ an⁣ investigation into Santos, which ‌was ‍launched earlier this year following the accusations⁢ against ⁣him.

Federal prosecutors indicted Santos‍ on over‌ 13 counts in ⁣March, leading the freshman congressman ‌to ‍surrender⁢ to⁣ authorities and appear‌ in court. The charges include seven counts of ⁢wire ‍fraud, ‌three‍ counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two ‌counts of ⁣making materially false statements to⁣ the ‍House‍ of ⁤Representatives.

Santos has also‌ been ⁤accused ⁢of misleading⁣ donors by claiming⁤ that funds would be used ‍for⁢ his campaign. However, reports have revealed that⁤ he used the money ‌to⁤ purchase designer‌ clothes, pay off⁢ personal credit card‌ debt, and indulge in‌ lavish expenses unrelated to his congressional race.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who introduced the resolution, ⁤emphasized ⁢that ⁣lawmakers ‌“should have no issue ⁢in voting to⁢ formally censure him for defrauding the people of the United States and disgracing our⁤ institution,” ‌according to POLITICO.

New ⁣York Republican Reps.⁤ Mike Lawler, Nick Langworthy, and Nick LaLota⁣ have all indicated their support⁢ for‍ the⁢ resolution.

Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) expressed doubt ⁤that his colleagues on the other side of the aisle⁣ would ‌follow⁣ through⁤ with a ⁣forced vote, but he affirmed ⁣his support for the resolution should it come to that.

“I don’t think he should be a ⁤member of Congress,” Molinaro stated.

“The question‍ is: is ⁣the Democrat leadership actually serious about bringing it to a vote? We haven’t heard ⁣they⁣ are,” he added.

Although Santos has ⁤previously admitted to ⁣lying⁢ to voters ⁣about his ⁢resume, including ‍his education and employment history, he tweeted on Monday that his congressional record continues to serve his constituents.

“Democrats⁢ on the other side of ‌the aisle have completely lost focus on the work they ⁢should ⁤be ⁣doing,” Santos tweeted. “My record ‌proves that my office is hard at work, serving⁢ constituents and crafting keen legislation.”

Tim Meads ‍contributed to⁢ this report.