House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Wednesday he has “real reservations” about moving forward with a vote to expel lying Rep. George Santos (R-NY), which will take place later this week.
“I personally have real reservations about doing this,” Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I’m concerned about the precedent that might be set for that.”
During a previous GOP conference meeting, the House speaker said lawmakers made “good faith” arguments “both pro and con, for a removal resolution for Santos.”
“There are people who say you have to uphold the rule of law and allow someone to be convicted in a criminal court before this harsh sentence is imposed on someone,” the Louisianan explained. “That’s the precedent so far.”
“There are other people who say, ‘Well, upholding the rule of law requires us to take this step now because some of the things he’s alleged to have done, the House Ethics Committee has done their job, are violations of the House itself,’ ” he continued.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Wednesday he has “real reservations” about moving forward with a House vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY) liar. REUTERS The House is expected to vote on the resolution by the end of this week. Getty Images
“So what we are saying, as a leadership team, is that we will allow people to vote their conscience. I think it’s the only appropriate thing we can do,” Johnson concluded. “I believe people will make that decision thoughtfully and in good faith.”
Santos’ colleague from Long Island GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito on Tuesday privileged a resolution introduced earlier this month by House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) to remove Santos from Congress following scathing reports.
The special nature of the resolution means the House must dispose of it within two legislative days.
Long Island GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito on Tuesday privileged a resolution introduced earlier this month by House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) to remove Santos. Getty Images for MoveOn
The ethics report identified campaign finance violations not previously contained in the 23-count federal indictment, including personal spending on Botox, luxury goods and X-rated OnlyFans subscriptions.
Santos, 35, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and refused to resign – but announced he will not run again in 2024.
Johnson told reporters that he currently expects the vote to take place on Friday.
Santos, 35, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has refused to resign — but announced he will not seek re-election in 2024. Getty Images
The House speaker said Monday that he spoke “at length” with Santos over the Thanksgiving holiday “about his options,” as the congressman who challenged the truth was staring down his third removal vote this year.
Unlike the first two, this week’s vote is expected to eliminate the New Yorker, sources told The Post.
Republicans currently have a 222-213 majority in the House, but expulsion requires a two-thirds vote, meaning at least 290 members must vote against Santos if the lower house is full.
Johnson told reporters that he currently expects the vote to take place on Friday. Getty Images
“Shut up or shut up, and enough of this charade,” Santos dared his teammates on Tuesday after stating in Space X Friday that he believed he would be eliminated.
“They want me to resign because they don’t want to take this difficult vote that is an example of their own death in the future,” he told reporters.
Democrats and Republicans respectively introduced preliminary resolutions to oust Santos in May and November, both of which failed. Some lawmakers said the House ethics investigation should have reached its conclusion before the vote.
Santos is also headed to trial on September 9, 2024, to face federal campaign finance fraud charges.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
