The House of Representatives is set to vote on Wednesday night on whether to expel Representative George Santos, a New York Republican facing a 23-count federal indictment related to fraudulent financial schemes. Santos, who has admitted to fabricating ties to historical events like the Holocaust and 9/11, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A group of New York Republicans, led by Representative Anthony D’Esposito, has pushed for Santos’s expulsion, citing evidence that he is unfit to serve.
The resolution requires approval from two-thirds of House lawmakers, posing a challenge due to the narrow Republican majority. Speaker Mike Johnson opposes removal without due process, and many members are concerned about setting a precedent by expelling Santos before a criminal proceeding or a report by the House Ethics Committee.
This marks the second attempt within six months to address Santos’s position in Congress. The indictment against Santos includes wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, and identity theft. The charges were recently expanded, accusing him of reporting a fraudulent $500,000 personal loan to his campaign and stealing campaign donors’ identities and credit card information.
Santos, 35, has denied all charges, and his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty, implicating Santos in the fraudulent activities. Despite calls for his resignation and an ongoing ethics inquiry, Santos remains defiant, criticizing the resolution and the criminal case as politically motivated.
The House Ethics Committee, currently investigating Santos, is expected to announce its next course of action by November 17. The vote raises questions about due process, representation, and the balance between ethical concerns and political decisions within the House.
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