George Santos Becomes Sixth Member Ever to be Expelled
Eight Texas Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives played a pivotal role in the expulsion of Representative George Santos (R) from New York’s 3rd District. The move came as a response to Santos’ egregious violations, marking only the sixth expulsion in the history of the House.
The Resolution, H.Res.878, was championed by a bipartisan effort to hold Santos accountable for his actions, as detailed in a damning report from the House ethics committee. The document outlined numerous violations, including falsely reported loans, improper loan repayments, systemic reporting errors, and the conversion of campaign funds to personal use.
The eight Texas Republicans who cast their votes in favor of expulsion are:
- Burgess – 26th District, Flower Mound, Little Elm, Gainsville.
- Crenshaw – 2nd District, Woodlands, Sheldon.
- De La Cruz – 15th District, Stockdale, Corpus Christi.
- Ellzey – 6th District, Waxahachie, Corsicana.
- Tony Gonzales – 23rd District, Uvalde, Fort Stockton.
- Granger – 12th District, Fort Worth, Weatherford.
- Moran – 1st District, Longview, Tyler.
- Pfluger – 11th District, Opessa, San Angelo.
The total vote of the House to expel reached 311 in favor and 114 against, with all but two Democrats supporting the expulsion. Two Democrats voted present, and three did not vote. Astonishingly, 112 Republicans voted against expulsion, reflecting the gravity of the decision.
Representative Santos, who pleaded not guilty to 23 federal fraud charges, was charged in Federal court with wire fraud, unlawful monetary transactions, theft of public money, and false statements related to a fraudulent political contribution scheme. A superseding indictment filed on October 10, 2023, brought additional charges, including falsifying FEC reports, engaging in identity theft, and fraudulent contribution schemes.
The expulsion attempt faced challenges earlier when members of Santos’ own party attempted to oust him, but senior Democrats voted against it, emphasizing the importance of securing convictions before expulsion. However, the tide turned with the release of the House ethics committee report, which detailed the extensive misuse of campaign funds for personal gains.
New York’s 3rd District, previously held by Democrat Tom Suozzi, is a swing district that has alternated between Democrats and Republicans. Santos’ expulsion leaves the district in a state of political flux, highlighting the critical role of ethical governance in maintaining public trust.
As the nation watches this historic moment, it serves as a reminder of the House’s commitment to upholding its constitutional duty and maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.