WASHINGTON — In a historic, the House of Representatives voted by a majority on Friday to expel Rep. George Santos of New York.
The move comes after the release of a critical ethics report on his conduct that accused him of converting campaign donations for his own use. He was just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by colleagues.
The vote to expel was 311-114. Expulsion requires support from two-thirds of the House.
This is how Georgia’s Representatives voted:
Voted “Yes”:
- U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-Augusta
- U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany
- U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler
- U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-The Rock
- U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia
- U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta
- U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton
- U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta
Voted “No”:
- U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens
- U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Jackson
- U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome
- U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville
- U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee
- U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta
Santos had fought the expulsion effort, leading his own defense during House floor debate and conducting a news conference and interviews.
The expulsion was the final congressional chapter in what was a spectacular fall from grace for Santos.
The first-term lawmaker was initially celebrated as an up-and-comer after he flipped a district away from Democrats last year and helped Republicans win control of the House. But soon after, trouble began. Reports emerged that Santos had lied about having Jewish ancestry, a career at top Wall Street firms and a college degree. His presence in the House quickly became a distraction and an embarrassment to the party.
In early March, the House Ethics Committee announced it was launching an investigation into Santos. Then in May, the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York indicted Santos, accusing him of duping donors, stealing from his campaign and lying to Congress. Prosecutors would later add more charges in an updated 23-count indictment.
The indictment alleges he stole the identities of campaign donors and then used their credit cards to make tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges. Federal prosecutors say Santos, who has pleaded not guilty, wired some of the money to his personal bank account and used the rest to pad his campaign coffers.
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Meanwhile, Ethics Committee investigators spent eight months investigating Santos and interviewing witnesses. When their work was complete, the panel said it had amassed “overwhelming evidence” of lawbreaking by Santos that it sent to the Justice Department.
Among other things, the committee said Santos knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission, used campaign funds for personal purposes and violated the Ethics in Government Act with his financial disclosure statements.
Arguing against expulsion during debate on Thursday, Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., said that while he respected the committee, he had concerns about how the Santos case was handled. He said he was troubled that a Republican-led committee would submit a report that was so judgmental and publicized.
“The totality of circumstance appears biased,” Higgins said. “It stinks of politics, and I’ll oppose this action in every way.”
While the committee does have a Republican chairman, its membership is evenly divided. Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the committee, reminded members that the decision approving the investigators’ findings was unanimous.
“As the Ethics Committee’s report lays out in thorough detail, Mr. Santos has repeatedly, egregiously and brazenly violated the public’s trust,” Wild said. “Mr. Santos is not a victim. He is a perpetrator of a massive fraud on his constituents and the American people.”
Rep. Nikema Willis, D-Atlanta, sent Channel 2 Action News the following statement about why she voted no over Santos’ expulsion:
“George Santos is not worthy of serving in the House of Representatives. He will likely be convicted of the crimes of which he was accused. This is the People’s House - and although the House Ethics Committee findings were damning, the people of New York’s Third Congressional District should decide who represents them. I’ll always side on giving power to the voters.”
Of the previous expulsions in the House, three were for disloyalty to the Union during the Civil War. The remaining two occurred after the lawmakers were convicted of crimes in federal court. Santos made his case for remaining in office by appealing directly to lawmakers who worry they are setting a new precedent that could make expulsions more common.
In a statement on social media, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is ready to fill the vacancy left by Santos.
“I am prepared to undertake the solemn responsibility of filling the vacancy in New York’s 3rd District,” she wrote. “The people of Long Island deserve nothing less.”
Under New York law, Hochul is required to make a proclamation of a special election within 10 days of a vacancy, with an election following between 70 and 80 days later.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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