Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he is leaning toward opposing the resolution to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY) and called the decision a“vote of conscience” for his colleagues.
Johnson expressed skepticism about removing the New York congressman despite the allegations and indictments that have piled up against him, although the expulsion resolution is expected to pass. Santos has been indicted on more than 20 federal charges, and a report released by the House Ethics Committee alleged in part that he used funds meant to support his election to make purchases at OnlyFans, Sephora, and Hermes, get botox, and that he conspired to falsify Federal Election Commission reports.
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“I personally have real reservations about doing this. I’m concerned about a precedent that may be set for that,” Johnson said at a press conference.
The resolution was filed by House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS), which adds more validity to the measure. Throughout the week, Johnson has talked to Santos about the possibility of resigning and how that might be his best option, but Santos has rebuffed the advice and wants to stand for an expulsion vote.
If it is successful, which all signs point that it will be, Santos will be only the sixth member expelled from Congress and the first to be expelled without being convicted of a crime or joining the Confederacy during the Civil War.
The vote is expected to be on Friday, a spokesperson for Johnson confirmed. Debate will begin on Thursday to satisfy the privileged resolution requirement, but the final vote will be postponed to Friday.
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House leadership is not whipping the vote and is leaving it up to the members to vote their conscience, which is expected to lead to enough Republicans and Democrats voting together to reach the two-thirds vote necessary to oust the embattled New York Republican.
Even Santos has admitted that the expulsion resolution is going to pass and that he will be removed from Congress, something he said he will wear like a “badge of honor.”
