George Santos Expelled from Congress Amidst Corruption Scandal

In a historic move, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Friday to expel indicted New York GOP Representative George Santos, marking only the sixth instance in history where a lawmaker has been ousted from the chamber. The resolution, which passed with a vote of 311 to 114, saw 105 Republicans supporting the expulsion. Notably, all four top House GOP leaders voted against removing Santos from Congress.

The expulsion of Santos has significant ramifications for the GOP, as it diminishes their majority in the House to 221 Republicans, with 213 Democrats. This shift in the balance of power adds complexity to the majority’s ability to pass legislation without Democratic support.

Democrats, seizing the opportunity, view Santos’s vacant seat as a prime pickup chance. Under New York law, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul has a 10-day window to announce a special election to fill the void left by Santos. The special election is anticipated to take place in late February.

Expressing her readiness to address the vacancy, Governor Hochul declared shortly after the expulsion vote, “I am prepared to undertake the solemn responsibility of filling the vacancy in New York’s 3rd District. The people of Long Island deserve nothing less.”

Already, former Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi, who vacated the seat in New York’s 3rd congressional district to run for governor, has launched a campaign to reclaim it.

The decision to expel Santos comes in the wake of a scandal that tarnished his political career. Santos, who played a crucial role in helping Republicans secure control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, faced revelations that he had embellished key aspects of his biography. Federal investigators charged him with nearly two dozen counts of fraud and illegal use of campaign funds, including money laundering.

Santos’s surprise victory quickly turned into an embarrassment for the GOP as details emerged of his fabrications. The scope of the case expanded in October, revealing charges of identity theft, unauthorized credit card charges on campaign donors, falsifying campaign finance reports, and additional instances of money laundering.

Pleading not guilty to all 23 federal charges, Santos’ criminal trial is scheduled to commence on September 9. The Ethics Committee had initiated its own investigation in the spring, culminating in a scathing 56-page report released on November 16. The report detailed a wide array of alleged misconduct, including stealing campaign funds, reporting fictitious loans, deceiving donors, and engaging in fraudulent business dealings.

In the aftermath of the report, Santos announced on November 17 that he would not seek reelection in 2024. The expulsion from Congress marks the latest chapter in a political downfall that has sent shockwaves through the GOP and left a crucial seat up for grabs in the upcoming special election.