Republican Rep. George Santos of New York has managed to dodge a potentially career-ending expulsion from the House of Representatives. The expulsion resolution, led by his fellow New York Republicans, fell short of the required two-thirds majority support to pass. The final vote count showed 179 representatives in favor of expulsion, 213 against, and 19 voting present.
Santos, who has admitted to lying about his background and is facing federal fraud charges, spoke to reporters following the vote, hailing it as a victory for due process. Many Republicans are now waiting to see how the House Ethics Committee handles the case before making a decision on Santos’ political future.
The bipartisan ethics panel has been actively investigating the charges against Santos, reaching out to witnesses, reviewing documents, and even authorizing subpoenas. The committee’s findings are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Santos’ fate. The indicted congressman, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, will be facing trial in September.
While Santos survived the expulsion vote, his troubles may not be over. Depending on the outcome of the Ethics Committee’s investigation, another vote on his expulsion could be imminent. The resolution to expel Santos was based on his pending criminal charges and a history of misrepresentations.
Congressional expulsions are extremely rare in U.S. history, with only five House members ever being expelled. Santos has long faced criticism over his dishonesty towards his constituents, with several reports exposing false claims made in his campaign biography. The indictment against him includes multiple counts of fraud and false statements, but Santos maintains his innocence, describing the charges as a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
As the House Ethics Committee continues to delve into the allegations against Santos, the political future of this embattled New York congressman remains uncertain. Poh Diaries will be closely monitoring the developments and providing updates on this high-stakes case.
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