Rep. Ritchie Torres at a press conference on his measure to censure Rep. George Santos. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images.
Half a dozen House Republicans say they would support Democrats’ resolution to censure Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) if it's forced to a vote.
Why it matters: With Republicans holding a 10-seat House majority, it could take as few as five GOP defections for the measure to pass.
What they're saying: Asked if he would support the resolution, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) told Axios, “Yep.”
- “I will vote yes,” Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) told Axios.
- Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) said in a statement: “I was the first to call for his resignation. I’ve said on the floor that he is a stain to our institution and I’d vote to censure.”
- Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said he "called for George Santos to resign. I don't think he should be a member of Congress and if it comes to a vote, I'll be voting in favor."
- “I would vote for it,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.). “I’ve been pretty well on the record on what I think.”
- Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) "will vote yes," his spokesperson Tiffany Boguslawski told Axios.
The backdrop: All six have called for Santos to resign, as have several other House Republicans.
- Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who also called for a resignation, told Axios, "We have a lot of sh*t going on in Congress right now. George Santos is the least of my problems."
- "At the end of the day, the voters are going to vote to just get rid of him ... so, it'll sort itself out."
Yes, but: Molinaro raised doubts that a vote will be forced. "The question is: is the Democrat leadership actually serious about bringing it to a vote? We haven't heard they are," he said.
- Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who introduced the measure, said "the only certainties in life are death and taxes," but, "I think it is probable ... that we would force a censure before the end of the August recess unless the Ethics Committee takes action."