Lawmakers Looking At Another Try To Expel George Santos After Damning Report
NY Republican used campaign funds for personal expenses like Botox and OnlyFans
Lawmakers are considering another attempt to expel Rep George Santos from Congress, less than a month after the indicted New York Republican survived a first attempt at his ouster.
His fellow Republicans want to try again to kick Santos out of the House after the House ethics panel said Thursday it has found “substantial evidence” of lawbreaking by Santos and has referred its findings to the Justice Department.
The committee said that Santos’ conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House.
Santos has maintained his innocence and refused to resign despite calls from many of his colleagues to do so.
The panel said Santos knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; and engaged in violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to financial disclosure statements filed with the House.
Santos, who has admitted fabricating nearly all of his personal information during last year’s elections when voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District chose him to represent them in Washington DC.
A first attempt to expel Santos failed earlier this month when 31 Democrats voted not to expel him because he has not been convicted of any crime.
However, Santos said this week that he would not seek re-election next year, after the ethics committee issued its report detailing “grave and pervasive campaign finance violations and fraudulent activity” and recommended action against him.
CNN host Jake Tapper went so far as to shame Santos on-camera after the release of the ethics report.
“No, Congressman Santos, you can’t use campaign funds for Botox or for OnlyFans. Apparently, that is advice that needs to be pointed out to members of Congress these days,” Tapper said. “This after a damning report from the House Committee on Ethics which laid out a myriad of personal purchases from the congressman. He used his campaign funds.”
Some lawmakers, however, now want to try again to expel Santos if he doesn't leave on his own right away.
“I’m hoping that George does the right thing and resigns and leaves Congress. The Thanksgiving break is a great time to do that. Clean out his office,” said Rep Ken Buck (R-Colo).
It's a sentiment echoed by Santos's own New York colleague, Republican Rep Mike Lawler.
“You know, he is a serial liar who, with the report now out, is proven to be a serial liar. And, you know, everything that I and many of my colleagues from New York have said for months has bourne out. And I think it is time, long past time, for George Santos to go,” he said. “If he had any dignity or decency, he would have resigned yesterday. We’ll see between now and the time we get back whether or not he pleads guilty or resigns or both.
“And whether or not we obviously have to come back and expel him. I bet the votes are there when we get back,” Lawler added.
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