U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was voted out of Congress Friday in a move that has caused division even within his own party.
“The embattled lawmaker had already survived two expulsion attempts, but an Ethics Committee report released last month prompted more lawmakers to say they were ready to oust Santos from the House,” The Hill reported Friday, noting Santos is now the sixth member of Congress to be ousted in history.
BREAKING: House votes to expel GOP Rep. George Santos. He has left the Capitol for the last time. pic.twitter.com/kHBmIsTAPV
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) December 1, 2023
Santos has pleaded not guilty to 23 federal counts related to campaign finance, wire fraud and more.
BREAKING – FIRST TIME: Without a conviction, Representative George Santos, a New York Republican accused of fabricating lies and facing a 23-count federal indictment, has just been expelled from Congress through a bipartisan vote.
NOTE: This marks the first expulsion from the… pic.twitter.com/KyCLKWlSrI
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) December 1, 2023
“To hell with this place,” he reportedly said as he left the House chamber Friday.
“The House voted — that’s their vote,” he told reporters. “They just set a new dangerous precedent for themselves.”
CNN’s Manu Raju and other reporters try to get a word with George Santos after the House votes to expel him,
He says nothing, jumps into a car, and quickly leaves the scene. pic.twitter.com/7KdiUWrcwW
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) December 1, 2023
The 311-114-2 vote saw 105 Republicans join Democrats to remove the lawmaker, a move not seen in two decades. But GOP members were not united on the issue as the voting record shows.
According to The Hill:
Most members of the House GOP leadership team voted against ousting Santos, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).
National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) voted in favor of expulsion.
ADVERTISEMENTFormer Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) did not vote.
Reps. Bobby Scott (Va.) and Nikema Williams (Ga.) were the only Democrats to vote against expelling Santos.
Reps. Al Green (D-Texas) and Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) voted present.
Rep. Thomas Massie, who voted against expelling Santos, provided the roll call on X.
Here is the roll call for the George Santos expulsion:https://t.co/F2UThDKAcK https://t.co/WjXvuk5M1y
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 1, 2023
Reactions poured in on the social media platform, with many calling out “spineless” Republicans who seem to miss the forest for the trees.
Everybody should be innocent until proven guilty.
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) December 1, 2023
They won’t expel Swalwell, Schiff, Omar, Tlaib, Bowman for actual treason but they’ll expel Santos. This is why we lose. I’m so sick of cowardly and spineless Republicans!!!!
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) December 1, 2023
George Santos is expelled from the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote because of alleged mendacity. pic.twitter.com/izw21NLUqJ
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) December 1, 2023
George Santos being expelled from congress due to an ongoing investigation is absolutely ridiculous.
Those that voted yes better check their closet for skeletons. Game on. #GeorgeSantos
— Kimberly Klacik (@kimKBaltimore) December 1, 2023
The House expelled George Santos.
What a bunch of idiots.
He needs to expose everything he knows about everyone.
And let me be clear, I don’t support him or care about him, but that was a decision for the voters.
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) December 1, 2023
BREAKING NEW: The Uni-Party Congress has EXPELLED New York Congressman George Santos..
This is the government our Founding Fathers warned us about.. It’s here, and we’re in big big trouble unless we elect Donald Trump in 2024..
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) December 1, 2023
The House voted to expel George Santos from Congress.
Now that our system operates under “guilty until proven innocent,”
should we expel every Congressman that has lied, engaged in insider training, misused congressional funds, & accepted bribes from foreign countries?
CC:…
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) December 1, 2023
And no one is saying it’s good to lie or cheat. But due process folks!!! Tv networks are not courthouses and should not convict some and spare others.
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) December 1, 2023
If he was a Democrat he’d still be there.
— Gettysburg Obsessed (@burgride) December 1, 2023
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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