© Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Washington, DC) – The House of Representatives has voted to expel New York Representative George Santos from Congress. This coming on the third vote that aimed to give him the boot, after Santos was accused of misusing campaign funds and lying about his background while running for the seat.
The embattled representative has pled not guilty to 23 federal felony charges, based on allegations that Santos illegally used campaign funds for personal reasons.
Santos had previously announced he wouldn’t seek re-election amid the controversy, but refused to resign. On Thursday he described the efforts aimed at booting him as “bullying.” Santos made the point lawmakers are typically not expelled unless they’ve been convicted of a crime — and he’s yet to face trial.
Last month, the House Ethics Committee released the findings of its investigation into Santos and alleged numerous instances of misconduct. For example, Santos has been accused of using campaign funds to even pay for things like OnlyFans — a porn site.
Some lawmakers expressed hesitancy in terms of voting to expel Santos. House Speaker Mike Johnson voted against expelling him, because it could set a dangerous and troubling precedent. Santos argued on Thursday that it’s patently unfair he would be expelled minus being convicted of a crime — and he mentioned New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman, who pled guilty this year to illegally pulling a fire alarm at a Washington, DC building — delaying congressional proceedings.
