Speaker Johnson is hesitant to expel Santos
Speaker Mike Johnson Expresses Reservations About Expelling Rep. George Santos
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) voiced his concerns on Wednesday regarding the potential expulsion of Rep. George Santos (R-NY) from the House of Representatives.
Two expulsion resolutions, one from Democrats and another from Republicans, were deemed “privileged” on Tuesday, requiring a vote within 48 hours. This came after the release of a House Ethics Committee report that heavily criticized Santos.
.@SpeakerJohnson on resolution to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY) from Congress: “I trust that people will make that decision thoughtfully and in good faith. I personally have real reservations about doing this. I’m concerned about a precedent that may be set for that.” pic.twitter.com/6lXBjeW6qt
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 29, 2023
During a press conference following a Republican conference meeting, Johnson stated that leadership will allow individuals to “vote their conscience.” He emphasized that there will be no effort to influence votes and expressed his trust in people making thoughtful and sincere decisions.
However, Johnson personally expressed reservations about the expulsion, citing concerns about the potential precedent it may set. He acknowledged that everyone is grappling with this issue and eagerly awaiting the outcome of the vote.
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Expelling a member from the House requires a two-thirds majority vote. Throughout U.S. history, this has only occurred a few times. Some members were expelled due to criminal convictions, while others were removed for supporting the Confederacy in the 1860s.
Santos, although not convicted of any crimes, is facing 23 federal charges. These charges include aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and conspiracy, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Previous attempts to expel Santos from the House have failed.
A growing number of lawmakers have expressed their intention to vote for expulsion following the release of the House ethics report. The report presented substantial evidence of various violations of House rules and criminal laws, involving Santos’ campaign, personal, and business finances.
While Santos has criticized the ethics inquiry as a political smear, he announced that he will not seek re-election. He also stated that a vote to expel him would set a dangerous precedent in terms of due process.
Rep. George Santos (R-NY): ”I will not be resigning.” pic.twitter.com/xs7a2TPg82
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 29, 2023
Some Republicans, such as Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), have expressed their opposition to Santos’ expulsion. Higgins released a letter stating his serious concerns about the handling of the case and his intention to vote against expulsion.
If Santos is expelled, Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House, would need to prepare for the possibility of a Democrat winning a special election to fill Santos’ seat in his Long Island district.
Johnson emphasized that Republicans value the rule of law and that members have engaged in thorough discussions weighing the pros and cons of expelling Santos.
“There are people who say you have to uphold the rule of law and allow for someone to be convicted in a criminal court before this tough penalty would be exacted on someone. That’s been the precedent so far,” Johnson explained. ”There are others who say, well, upholding the rule of law requires us to take this step now because some of the things that he’s alleged to have done — the House Ethics Committee having done their job — are infractions against the House itself.”
How do the allegations against Santos reflect on the integrity of the House and elected officials?
Are stating that they will vote to expel Santos after the release of the scathing House Ethics Committee report. The report accused Santos of engaging in a pattern of unethical conduct, including using campaign funds for personal expenses, soliciting campaign donations in exchange for official actions, and creating a hostile work environment for his staff.
In light of these allegations, it is understandable why some lawmakers are calling for Santos’ expulsion. They argue that his actions severely undermine the integrity of the House and the trust placed in elected officials. They believe that by voting to expel Santos, they are sending a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
However, Speaker Johnson’s reservations about the expulsion highlight the complexity of the issue. He raises concerns about the potential precedent that could be set by expelling a member based on allegations alone. While it is crucial to hold elected officials accountable for their actions, it is equally important to ensure due process and the presumption of innocence.
Johnson’s reservations also reflect the ongoing debate surrounding the role of expulsion in Congress. Expulsion is a rare and serious measure that should be reserved for the most egregious cases. It should not be used as a political tool to punish or silence members based on partisan disagreements or allegations that have not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ultimately, the decision to expel Santos lies in the hands of the members of the House. It is their responsibility to carefully consider the evidence presented and weigh the potential consequences. It is a decision that should be made thoughtfully and in the best interest of the institution and the American people.
As the vote approaches, the nation awaits the outcome with anticipation. The decision will not only determine Santos’ fate but also serve as a reflection of the values and standards upheld by the House of Representatives. It is a decision that will shape the future of ethics and accountability in Congress.
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