House Ethics report won’t recommend punishment against George Santos

The House Ethics Committee's highly anticipated report outlining the findings of its investigation into Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) will not recommend any punishments against the embattled Long Islander, the panel's chair said Wednesday.

Why it matters: That leaves House members to draw their own conclusions as lawmakers in both parties tee up fresh efforts to expel Santos from Congress.

Driving the news: House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) told reporters it "would have taken several more months" to compile a report that included suggested sanctions.

• "We thought that, based upon the information that was out there to the public ... that would be enough for members to be able to make a decision as to whether they believe it would be proper to expel Rep. Santos," he said.
• The report is expected to be released on Thursday.

Between the lines: Guest said he shares the concerns of members in both parties who voted against expelling Santos earlier this month out of concern that he hasn't been afforded due process – but framed the report as the answer to those apprehensions.

• "I do expect that there will be another [expulsion] motion brought forward," Guest added.

What we're watching: The New York Republican freshmen who forced a vote on expelling Santos earlier this month are looking to see how their colleagues react to the report.

• "The Ethics report is going to confirm what we know and what he's admitted to," said Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.).
• Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) told Axios he's "definitely looking at" forcing a vote.