US Markets
Friday, December 1st, 2023 5:06 pm EDT
Key Points
- Expulsion of Rep. George Santos: The House voted decisively, with a tally of 311-114, to expel Representative George Santos from Congress. Santos faced allegations of finance crimes and campaign lies, making him the sixth House member in U.S. history to be removed from office and the third since the Civil War.
- Impact on GOP Majority: The expulsion of Santos reduces the number of House Republicans to 221, further narrowing the GOP’s slim majority. With 213 Democrats in the House, the diminished Republican numbers pose challenges for the majority party in passing legislation, especially without Democratic support. The article highlights the significance of Santos’ removal in the context of the delicate balance of power within the House.
- Political Ramifications and Democratic Opportunity: Democrats view Santos’ vacant seat as a prime opportunity for a pickup. The article outlines the process following Santos’ expulsion, indicating that New York law grants Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul the authority to announce a special election within 10 days. Former Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi has already launched a campaign to reclaim the seat. The expulsion underscores the political consequences of internal controversies and the potential for party dynamics to shift in the wake of such events.
The House of Representatives voted to expel Republican Representative George Santos, alleging finance crimes and campaign lies. The vote, with a tally of 311-114, saw Santos becoming the sixth House member in U.S. history to be ousted from Congress and the third since the Civil War. The expulsion further diminishes the GOP’s slim majority, reducing the number of House Republicans to 221, while Democrats stand at 213. The expulsion creates challenges for Republicans in passing legislation without Democratic support. Santos’ vacant seat is seen as a prime pickup opportunity for Democrats, and New York law grants Governor Kathy Hochul 10 days to announce a special election, with a vote expected in late February.
Santos faced controversy after a House Ethics report accused him of “blatantly stealing from his campaign,” using donors’ money for personal expenses at luxury stores and adult websites. The report intensified efforts to remove the embattled 35-year-old freshman lawmaker. Republican leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, initially opposed the expulsion resolution, but the GOP’s stance shifted after the Ethics report’s release.
The expulsion marks a significant development in the ongoing scandals surrounding Santos’ brief time in office. After winning the seat in 2022, he admitted to lying about his professional and educational background. Subsequently, Santos faced charges of nearly two dozen crimes, including identity theft, submitting false campaign finance reports, and stealing unemployment money. Despite pleading not guilty to the criminal charges, the mounting controversies led to the expulsion vote.
Democrats view the expulsion as an opportunity to strengthen their position in the House, with former Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi launching a campaign to reclaim Santos’ seat in New York’s 3rd congressional district. The expulsion underscores the challenges faced by both parties in managing internal controversies and maintaining party cohesion while navigating the political landscape.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/01/gop-rep-george-santos-faces-expulsion-vote-in-house.html
