The House’s Friday vote resulted in the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, marking the end of his tumultuous tenure as the sixth lawmaker ever ousted from the lower chamber.
This rare move, not seen in two decades, took three attempts over six months and garnered bipartisan support.
The final count, 311-114-2, reflected the overwhelming decision to remove Santos, who faced federal indictment on 23 counts.
Despite internal GOP divisions, Santos’s expulsion complicates Speaker Mike Johnson’s thin majority, impacting critical upcoming legislative battles.
The ouster raises questions about the precedent for expulsion, given Santos’s insistence on innocence amid ongoing legal challenges.
While Santos claims no regrets about his 11-month term, his legal troubles persist, with a trial set for September 2024, and concerns about potential jail time loom.
The expulsion leaves a vacancy in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, triggering a competitive race among over a dozen candidates.