WASHINGTON − An effort to expel embattled New York Rep. George Santos from the House was dodged after the lower chamber voted to refer a resolution that would expel him to the House Ethics Committee.
Santos was arrested and pleaded not guilty to 13 federal charges last week, including fraud and lying to Congress. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating the freshman lawmaker over similar allegations since earlier this year.
Republicans’ decision to refer the resolution to the ethics panel is likely an attempt to circumvent an expulsion vote. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday he would prefer the resolution to move through the ethics committee instead of holding a floor vote to expel Santos.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., on Tuesday introduced a resolution to expel the Republican representative from the House. Lawmakers had two days to act on his resolution, which would require a two-third majority in favor of expulsion.
Garcia’s resolution follows the Santos’ arrest last week in Central Islip, New York. He was released from custody on a $500,000 bond.
Fifty Democratic cosponsors backed Garcia’s bill.
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Santos faces 13 federal charges
Santos was arrested and pleaded not guilty earlier this month to seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making false statements to the House of Representatives.
He could face up to 20 years in prison.
Santos allegedly transferred money from political donors into personal bank accounts during his campaign and used the funds for personal expenses. The Department of Justice also alleges that he committed unemployment insurance fraud by applying for benefits when he was employed and misled the House and public about his finances related to his two congressional campaigns.
In a news conference after his arraignment, Santos claimed he was innocent and called the investigation a “witch hunt.”
More:Rep. George Santos pleads not guilty to 13 counts including fraud, lying to Congress
‘The sternest form of punishment’
Expulsion is “the sternest form of punishment” that the House has imposed on its members, according to the House of Representatives website.
Five members of the House have been expelled in U.S. history – three for supporting the Confederacy, one for bribery and the most recent, former Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, for filing false tax returns, among other charges.
Who would replace George Santos?
If Santos is expelled, the governor of New York is required to call a special election. Party committees would select nominees, and state party leadership would choose the nominee for each party.
Santos’ departure would make the four-seat Republican majority in the House even narrower – limiting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ability to drive legislation through the chamber.
The New York representative announced in April he would be running for reelection.
More:Embattled GOP Rep. George Santos announces 2024 reelection campaign
House Ethics panel investigates Santos
The expulsion resolution follows the House Ethics Committee voting earlier this year to investigate Santos over several allegations surrounding his campaign and time in office.
The committee established a subcommittee of two Republicans and two Democrats who will look into whether Santos engaged in “unlawful activity” during his 2022 campaign and investigate sexual misconduct allegations involving a staffer.
More:House ethics panel to investigate GOP Rep. George Santos over campaign issues, other allegations
