In a dramatic turn of events within the House of Representatives, Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA) has initiated a forceful push to expel Representative George Santos (R-NY). Santos, who faces a staggering 13 federal counts that could lead to a prison sentence surpassing a century, has become the center of attention in a heated political battle.
Garcia invoked Clause 2A1 of Rule 9, providing notice of his intention to raise a question regarding the privileges of the House. Presenting a resolution to expel Santos, Garcia was supported by LGBTQ+ Representatives Eric Sorensen (D-IL) and Becca Balint (D-VT), who sat behind him during the announcement. The House is expected to vote on Santos’ expulsion within the next two days.
Santos, elected in the 2022 midterms, faced scrutiny shortly after the election when news reports revealed inconsistencies and unverifiable aspects of his life story, including his education, employment, and family history. Additionally, he was accused of theft and fraud by multiple individuals who knew him. Santos confessed to the accusations and agreed to pay fines and restitution in Brazil, where he faced prosecution.
Last week, Santos surrendered to federal authorities in New York, resulting in 13 federal criminal charges related to alleged unemployment and campaign finance fraud. These charges include filing for unemployment benefits while earning a $120,000 annual salary, misusing campaign funds for personal expenses, and failing to accurately report income on financial disclosure forms.
While Santos posted $500,000 bail and dismissed the charges as a “witch hunt,” the severity of his alleged crimes is evident, with a potential prison sentence of 140 years for wire fraud alone. Despite these allegations, Republicans have chosen to stand by him, asserting their decision to await the outcome of his trial, which may extend beyond his first term in office.
Rep. Garcia expressed his firm stance, branding Santos as a “fraud and a liar” who should be expelled from the House. He urged Speaker Kevin McCarthy to take action, emphasizing the significance of the 13 criminal charges brought against Santos by federal prosecutors. However, Republicans hold a slim majority in the House, necessitating a two-thirds majority for expulsion. Without substantial Republican support, the resolution faces an uncertain future.
Garcia took to Twitter, emphasizing that this effort is an opportunity for Republicans to demonstrate their commitment to the American people by refusing to allow an admitted liar and criminal to serve in Congress. The outcome of the vote could potentially have political implications, with the votes to retain Santos potentially becoming fodder for campaign advertisements in the future.