These 24 House Republicans voted for the failed resolution to kick George Santos out of Congress
- The New York Republicans' effort to expel George Santos went unexpectedly poorly for them.
- Forty-six House Democrats voted "present" or against the expulsion resolution, and it failed 179-213
Rep. George Santos is staying in Congress — for now.
For the second time this year, the House failed to pass a resolution to expel the scandal-plagued New York Republican, who faces 23 felony counts from federal prosecutors and national outrage over the myriad fabrications he's made about his background.
A group of New York Republican freshmen, led by Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, forced a vote amid fears that they could pay a political price in 2024 if they didn't sideline him.
But while 24 House Republicans voted for the resolution, it came nowhere close to the two-thirds majority necessary for the expulsion to take place — the vote was 179 to 213, with 19 voting "present."
Thirty-one Democrats voted against expelling Santos, more than the 24 Republicans who voted to expel him.
It's not that Republicans love George Santos. Plenty of them do not, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made clear earlier this year that he didn't believe Santos should run for reelection. He does not serve on any House committees, and just one Republican has cosponsored a bill proposed by the New York congressman.
But Republicans writ large are weary of cutting down their already-slim margin in the chamber, particularly given the Democratic lean of Santos' district and the probability that he would be replaced by a Democrat in the resulting special election.
"We have to allow due process to play itself out. That's what our system of justice is for. He's not convicted. He's charged," newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Fox News last week, pointing to the party's slim margin.
And on Tuesday, the House Ethics Committee issued a rare statement saying that it would "announce its next course of action" in its ongoing investigation into Santos by November 17 — another factor that may have given Republicans cover to vote against expulsion.
The last time that the House expelled one of its own members was in 2002, when Democratic Rep. Jim Traficant of Ohio was expelled after being convicted on corruption charges.
Santos is not set to face trial until September 2024. Santos has denied the charges.
Here are the 24 Republicans who voted to expel Santos:
- Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska
- Rep. Mike Carey of Ohio
- Rep. James Comer of Kentucky
- Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon
- Rep. Anthony D'Esposito of New York
- Rep. Monica De La Cruz of Texas
- Rep. Jake Ellzey of Texas
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania
- Rep. Mike Garcia of California
- Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas
- Rep. John James of Michigan
- Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey
- Rep. Kevin Kiley of California
- Rep. Nick LaLota of New York
- Rep. Nick Langworthy of New York
- Rep. Mike Lawler of New York
- Rep. Daniel Philip Meuser of Pennsylvania
- Rep. Max Miller of Ohio
- Rep. Marcus Molinaro of New York
- Rep. Nathaniel Moran of Texas
- Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona
- Rep. Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania
- Rep. Brandon Williams of New York
- Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas