House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest introduced a resolution Friday to expel Rep. George Santos a day after a report from the panel outlined new evidence that the New York Republican violated federal law in areas that weren’t covered by an existing federal indictment.
Guest, R-Miss., said the evidence detailed in his committee’s report is “more than sufficient to warrant punishment,” adding that the “most appropriate” action is to expel Santos. He told CQ Roll Call Thursday that he would coordinate with House leaders on floor timing for the resolution, but said he expects that to be after the Thanksgiving holiday.
It’s unclear whether the chamber will get the two-thirds majority needed to purge Santos. The House voted 179-213 on Nov. 1 to reject a measure to kick Santos out of Congress, with 182 Republicans and 31 Democrats voting against the effort.
But at least one Democrat said the Ethics Committee’s report has changed his mind.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who voted against expelling Santos early this month, said on X, formerly Twitter, late Thursday that he “will vote for his expulsion” if Santos doesn’t resign.
Guest’s resolution points to additional potential violations of federal law not covered in the 23 criminal charges in the indictment of Santos.
The new alleged violations, which the committee referred to the Justice Department, are tied to falsely reported loans received by Santos’ 2020 campaign and his leadership political action committee, GADS PAC; loan repayments to himself; reporting errors in his Federal Election Commission filings; use of campaign funds for personal use and failure to file House financial disclosure statements.
Santos used campaign funds on botox, the luxury designer store Hermès, the adult subscription site Only Fans and cosmetics retailer Sephora, the committee’s report said.
Guest said the public attention on Santos, along with the federal charges in the Eastern District of New York, led the committee to finish its report without recommending a punishment, noting that such a recommendation would have delayed the report’s release for months.
Santos said after the report was released Thursday that he wouldn’t seek reelection in 2024, but said he would finish his term. He called the report a “politicized smear.”
Santos has scheduled a press conference at the Capitol on Nov. 30 at 8 a.m.
The post Guest files motion to expel Santos; Raskin says he’ll support it this time appeared first on Roll Call.
