George Santos swerves expulsion from house for second time despite multiple scandals

The votes, 179-213, were split between party lines, with Democrats unanimously voting to expel the scandal-ridden representative.

20:23 ET, Wed, Nov 1, 2023 | UPDATED: 20:52 ET, Wed, Nov 1, 2023

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A motion to expel George Santos (R-NY) from the House of Representatives has failed, with the votes splitting predictably between the party lines.

The Washington Post is reporting that the vote, which was split 179-213 against expelling the junior representative, was divided predictably down party lines.

Democrats overwhelmingly voted to expel Santos, citing his ongoing federal investigation as their reason.

Republicans, on the other hand, have voted to keep him in his position, citing the need to wait for the ethics report against him, which is scheduled to be released next month.

George Santos swerves expulsion from house for second time despite scandals

Santos once again escaped expulsion (Image: Getty)

There were, however, some Republicans that broke from the GOP solidarity and chose to vote for Santos' expulsion.

Reps. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) and John James (R-Mich.) were amongst the House Republicans who voted against the scandal-ridden Santos.

Amazingly, however, the motion to expel George Santos from his seat in the House of Representatives was led by a group of his fellow Republican House members from New York.

Reps. Anthony D’Esposito, Nick LaLota, Marcus J. Molinaro, Michael Lawler and Brandon Williams all led the charge for Santos' expulsion.

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George Santos

The charge to expel Santos was led by his fellow Republicans (Image: Getty)

As might be expected, however, George Santos defended himself against the allegations, and insisted that he deserved to remain in his position in the House of Representatives.

“I must warn my colleagues that voting for expulsion at this point would circumvent the judicial system’s right to due process that I’m entitled to and desanctify the long-held premise that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty," he said.

“It is unconscionable to think that this body, who is at war with the [Department of Justice] over their politically motivated practices, would blindly accept their accusation against a member of another branch of government."

Santos has been charged by federal prosecutors with 13 counts, including defrauding his donors, using their money for his personal benefit and wrongfully claiming unemployment benefits. Additional counts were brought in a superseding indictment that was made public last month.