“I’ll proceed my mission to serve my constituents till I’m allowed to take action. “However I can’t search re-election for a second time period in 2024 as a result of my household deserves higher than to be below strain from the press on a regular basis,” Santos mentioned.
He additionally criticized the bipartisan investigation and its findings, claiming it was a political hit. Santos faces 23 federal prices together with wire fraud, identification theft and others. He has pleaded not responsible and his trial is scheduled for subsequent September.
The ethics report launched Thursday morning discovered “robust proof” of legal wrongdoing, ensuing from a “net” of lies he spun with a purpose to personally profit his marketing campaign. Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Visitor instructed Politico, in his first interview after the report was revealed, that he deliberate to submit a decision on Friday to fireplace Santos. The Home must consider when it returns from Thanksgiving.
Whereas this would be the third effort to punish Santos this yr, there’s already a sense amongst lawmakers that this time is totally different, given the damning ethics report. It particulars Santos utilizing marketing campaign funds on lavish journeys, purchasing sprees, and even Botox injections, along with lining his personal pockets and defrauding donors.
He added: “I hope that members will take the chance to learn the report, and be taught all of the details relating to this case in order that they’ll then make an knowledgeable choice on the Home ground as as to if or not they really feel they need to expel Mr. Santos.” No,” Visitor mentioned, calling the report “stunning” and noting there have been new allegations uncovered within the investigation.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), who led the Democratic-led marketing campaign to oust Santos in February, introduced Thursday that he too “will as soon as once more introduce a landmark decision to oust this liar and fraud after we return to session.” On November 28.”
Already, some GOP members who beforehand voted towards expelling Santos have mentioned they’re planning a coup. If each Democrat votes to take away the New Yorker from the Home, practically 80 Republicans would additionally need to signal on to ensure that such an effort to cross.
“I deliberately waited for the findings of the Ethics Fee’s report back to emerge earlier than issuing judgment,” Rep. Greg Murphy (R-R) mentioned in a press release after the report was launched. “Nonetheless, given their findings on the details of this case, I discover his conduct reprehensible and unbecoming of a Member of Congress. I’ll vote to expel him.”
Within the final vote, 24 Republicans voted to expel Santos, whereas 31 Democrats selected to not expel him from the Home of Representatives. Already, dozens of Republicans have indicated both in public statements or to Politico that they plan to flip and vote to question him, with an extra 17 Democrats planning on doing the identical.
Many New York Republicans, who had been Santos’ largest critics, have been fast to level out the report’s findings and mentioned it confirmed what they knew to be true: Their New York colleague is a fraud and must be fired.
“I as soon as once more name on my colleagues to affix me in calling for George Santos to be expelled from Congress,” mentioned Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), who led the most recent push to oust Santos late final month.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson has not but thought of pursuing an ethics report.
Sarah Ferris, Nicholas Wu, Anthony Adragna and Daniela Diaz contributed to this report.
