Santos Expulsion Vote Falls Short In Congress

WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. George Santos, who is facing multiple federal fraud charges, has survived an expulsion vote Wednesday night from Congress.

The resolution was brought to the floor by fellow Long Island lawmaker Anthony D'Esposito (R-Island Park). While it had support from a handful of New York Republicans, including Suffolk's Nick LaLota, it failed to gain the required two-thirds majority in the chamber.

The final vote had 213 against the measure and 179 voting for expulsion, with 19 voting present.

"I am disappointed my colleagues chose not to expel George Santos from Congress. I believe George Santos' lies coupled with the criminal charges he is facing deem Santos unfit to serve the people of New York's 3rd Congressional District," D'Esposito said in a statement.

Santos pleaded not guilty in May and in October to a superseding indictment.

Only five members of Congress have been expelled in the governing body's history.

Prior to the Wednesday night vote, Santos tweeted, "I'll defend myself as best I can and stand up for my constitutional rights to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty."

The House Ethics Committee is expected to release details from its investigation into Santos by Nov. 17. Some Republicans have said they wanted to wait for the bipartisan panel findings before making a determination on the embattled first-term representative.

"I am confident the findings of the upcoming House Ethics Committee report on George Santos will expose Santos’ deceptions and outline what New Yorkers already know — that George Santos is a fraud unworthy of serving in public office," D'Esposito said.