House Republicans block Democratic effort to expel George Santos from Congress
Last edited Wed May 17, 2023, 07:33 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: CBS News
Washington — House Republicans on Wednesday blocked a Democratic resolution that would expel GOP Rep. George Santos from Congress, instead voting to refer the matter to a committee while several investigations into his conduct continue.
Santos faces 13 federal charges of fraud, money laundering and other crimes, with prosecutors alleging he pocketed thousands of dollars of campaign contributions and fraudulently collected unemployment benefits. The New York Republican, who lied about numerous aspects of his background in his pursuit of his congressional seat, pleaded not guilty and recently announced he will run for reelection next year.
On Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California introduced a measure to expel Santos from the House as a "privileged" resolution, fast-tracking its consideration under House rules. Republicans moved Wednesday to refer the bill to the House Ethics Committee, which opened a formal probe into Santos in March. That vote, which required a simple majority, succeeded along party lines by a margin of 221 to 204. Seven Democrats voted present.
"I look forward to seeing the process play out, and if the Ethics Committee finds a reason to remove me, that is the process," Santos, who voted to refer the resolution to the panel, said Wednesday evening. "I look forward to continuing to defend myself. Again, innocent until proven guilty." Republican Rep. Anthony D'Esposito of New York said before the vote that he was in favor of expelling Santos, but "regrettably" there weren't enough votes to oust him.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-santos-expulsion-resolution-house-vote-ethics-committee/
Article updated.
Original article -
The New York Republican, who lied about numerous aspects of his background in his pursuit of his congressional seat, pleaded not guilty and recently announced he will run for reelection next year. On Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California introduced a measure to expel Santos from the House as a "privileged" resolution, fast-tracking its consideration under House rules. Republicans moved Wednesday to refer the bill to the House Ethics Committee, which opened a formal probe into Santos in March.
That vote, which required a simple majority, succeeded along party lines by a margin of 221 to 204. Seven Democrats voted present. Republican Rep. Anthony D'Esposito of New York said before the vote that he was in favor of expelling Santos, but "regrettably" there weren't enough votes to oust him. "I believe that this individual is a stain on this institution, a stain on the state of New York, a stain on Long Island and a stain on the beloved Nassau County," D'Esposito said.
"With that said, we believe this resolution should be referred to the Committee on Ethics to ensure a thorough and expedient investigation into this matter. I firmly believe this is the quickest way of ridding the House of Representatives of this scourge on government." The vote gave other vulnerable Republicans cover from being forced to go on the record with their position on whether the indicted New York congressman should keep his seat. Republicans hold a slim four-seat majority in the House and can ill afford to lose any members.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Seeing how CNN is the new Fox, they will need help keeping things straight.
Then-Rep. Mark Foley, the Republican congressional leader who liked to proposition teenage male pages, was “accidentally” confused as a D in the minds of the public by journalistic malpractice.
Of course, tee vee news failed to mention how he was House leader of the subcommittee on missing and exploited children.
It's all about that one Republican vote... 
claiming there were already "not enough votes" to expel so (bury it in a committee)... 
A complete fraud. Definite fodder for ads and debates.
But in retaliation, one of the MAGAT crowd has introduced a measure to expel Adam Schiff--nowhere close to comparable, and a complete travesty.
All actions - https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/114/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs
05/17/2023-5:38pm Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
05/17/2023-5:38pm On motion to refer Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 204, 7 Present ) (Roll No. 217).
05/17/2023-5:04pm The previous question on the motion to refer was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H2401)
05/17/2023-5:03pm Mr. D'Esposito moved to refer to Ethics.
05/17/2023-5:02pm DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 114.
05/17/2023-5:02pm Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H2401; text: CR H2401)
05/17/2023-5:02pm QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE - Mr. Robert Garcia (CA) rose to a question of the privileges of the House and offered the resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. Upon examination of the resolution, the Chair determined that the resolution did constitute a question of the privileges of the House.
05/16/2023-2:18pm NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION - Mr. Robert Garcia (CA) notified the House of his intent to offer a privileged resolution pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX. The Chair announced that a determination will be made at the time designated for consideration of the resolution.
02/09/2023 Referred to the House Committee on Ethics.
02/09/2023 Introduced in House
Once that motion was made, seconded, a vote was ordered, and the motion was approved, then that action deep-sixed the original, underlying resolution. If the motion had failed by a majority vote, then they would have gone on to vote on the actual resolution.
This is pretty common procedure where quite a few bills or resolutions have someone complain and request through a motion, that it be referred to Committee, and those requests are often shunted aside by failing, and they go on and do their final votes.
This was the actual resolution -
H.Res.114 - In the matter of George Santos.
By doing what they did with respect to the MOTION, Democrats on that Committee remove what would easily be a GOP talking point that they are "biased".
IOW, it's one of many "tricks" (tools) that Congress has to do their work and if they have good advisors with knowledge of Parliamentary procedure, then they can find ways to do what they want.
