George Santos faces a third expulsion vote this week
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Rep. George Santos. Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images.
The House this week will vote for a third time on a resolution to expel embattled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) – and this time it may succeed.
Why it matters: The release of an Ethics Committee report that uncovered alleged criminal wrongdoing by the Long Islander has prompted many lawmakers to support his expulsion after previously opposing it.
- Santos himself has said he expects to be expelled, saying on Friday: "I've done the math over and over, and it doesn't look really good."
Driving the news: Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) introduced what is known as a privileged motion just after the House reconvened on Tuesday following the Thanksgiving recess.
- The motion forces the House to vote on their one-page resolution by Thursday – though it's up to Republican leadership when, precisely, the vote will take place.
What we're watching: Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) has introduced his own expulsion measure which is likely to be given primacy by GOP leadership.
- That measure is expected to be forced to a vote this week as well, a House Republican familiar with the plans told Axios.
- Guest’s resolution is also positioned to garner more GOP support: “It carries a lot of weight if it’s the Ethics Committee chair,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.).
- Garcia told reporters his resolution is simply an "insurance policy" to ensure an expulsion vote in case that doesn't happen.
By the numbers: Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority to pass, meaning that all Democrats and around 75 Republicans would have to vote for it in order for it to pass.
- Most of the few dozen Democrats who voted against expelling Santos earlier this month have said they will now support expulsion.
- More than a dozen Republicans who previously opposed expulsion both this month and back in May have also announced their plans to vote for it, though many remain undecided.
The other side: Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), a member of the right-wing Freedom Caucus, sent out a "dear colleague" letter to members in both parties saying he is a "solid no" on expulsion.
- Higgins wrote that the Ethics report is "FILLED with conjecture, opinion, and pejorative language that no professional investigative report should include[.]"
Between the lines: A more widespread – and clear-eyed – cause for hesitation among some Republicans is their thin majority which could be further dwindled as several House Republicans are reportedly eyeing an early exit from Congress.
- Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) told Axios: "The Democrats would never do this. Do you think they would expel one of their own people when they've got a 4 seat majority? What the hell, are we nuts."
- But many Republicans also believe Santos' presence has become untenable and are no longer prepared to subordinate their desire to be rid of him.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.
