Santos Stands Firm, Defies Resignation amidst Imminent Expulsion Vote
GOP Rep George Santos defiantly rejects resignation amid looming expulsion vote following House Ethics Committee's damning investigation into the New York congressman
GOP Rep. George Santos stubbornly refuses to resign, insisting that he is being targeted and bullied in the aftermath of an ethics report criticizing his behavior. Despite facing an expulsion vote, Santos defiantly lashed out at his colleagues during a tense news conference outside the Capitol. When asked why he won't step down, Santos stated, "If I leave, they win. This is bullying, and I won't give in to the bullies."
Santos had stated his decision not to run for re-election after a critical report from the House Ethics Committee was published, despite his criticism of the investigation. He contradicted the report's claim that he did not actively participate in the investigation, stating, "I did cooperate."
"I provided them with every single document for the most part that they used, all of which came from my counsel," he said. He later added, "I am not going to explain the report. It is not helpful for me to do so right now. There will come a time when I will fully explain it and go through it line by line."
The US Capitol is seen in Washington, DC, on November 22, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Title: The Uncommon Occurrence of Expelling a Member of Congress
Santos has announced his plan to propose a resolution for the expulsion of Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York. This decision comes after Bowman's misdemeanor charge for triggering a false fire alarm in a House office building.
Santos emphasized the importance of consistency, declaring plans to hold ourselves accountable. In response, Bowman dismissed the announcement as another empty gesture in Santos' history of deception and dishonesty.
Santos has faced previous efforts to oust him from the House, but the latest push is gaining traction following the release of a damning report from the House Ethics Committee. The report found that he had "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit."
On Thursday, Santos expressed concern about the possibility of being expelled from the House, stating that it could establish a dangerous precedent. He also admitted uncertainty about the outcome of the vote.
Being expelled from the House is the harshest punishment for a lawmaker, with only five members having ever faced this consequence. Achieving a two-thirds majority vote for expulsion is a difficult hurdle to overcome. In addition to the Ethics Committee investigation, Santos is also denying 23 federal charges, including allegations of fraud in connection to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misappropriation of campaign funds, and providing false information about his personal finances on House disclosure reports.
Many Republicans are considering their vote, with some expressing concerns about due process before conviction in a court of law. On the other hand, some argue that it is crucial to expel the congressman due to the gravity of the ethics investigation findings. It remains uncertain whether there will be sufficient votes to expel Santos.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed serious concerns about the decision to expel the congressman, citing the potential impact it could have. His reservations are unlikely to sway political support for the expulsion, making it challenging for some Republicans to endorse the move.
Johnson stated on Wednesday morning, "We have not manipulated the vote and we will not do so. I believe that people will carefully and sincerely make their decision. Personally, I have serious concerns about this and I worry about the precedent that could be established." This story and headline have been revised to include new developments.
