Live coverage: House votes to expel George Santos, now an ex-congressman

Early this week, Rep. George Santos looked overwhelmingly likely to be expelled from the House of Representatives, as he himself acknowledged. But with the actual vote looming, Republicans started wavering. They’d be sacrificing an important vote in their narrow majority, after all, and while Santos faces 23 federal criminal charges, their party’s likely presidential nominee faces 44 federal and 47 state criminal charges. They have a strong incentive to extend “innocent until proven guilty” from the criminal justice system to qualification for the country’s top offices.

The House is voting, and it will take a two-thirds majority vote to expel Santos. Will Republicans boot someone who was elected based on a series of lies about his own biography and who allegedly engaged in massive campaign finance violations and outright fraud through his campaign? Or will they decide he is still a welcome member of the House Republican conference?

UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 4:04:31 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

The vote was 311 yes, 114 no, two present.

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UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 4:02:48 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

Santos is out. What an embarrassment for Speaker Mike Johnson, who announced this morning that he was voting against expulsion.

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UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 3:58:19 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

The 282-vote threshold has already been crossed, with voting ongoing. Santos appears to be toast.

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UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 3:56:23 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

Color me wrong about the Republican momentum in Santos’ favor! There are already 89 Republican votes to expel. He’s looking like toast unless something swings hard.

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UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 3:55:09 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

The target number here is 282 votes for expulsion. That means if all 213 Democrats vote to expel Santos, 77 Republicans would need to do so.

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UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 3:53:44 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

Momentum definitely seems to be in Santos’ favor: 

Rep. Tim Burchett dismisses concerns about Santos's conduct and says he will vote against his expulsion: "We're a bunch of sinners." pic.twitter.com/kD4j3O0izS

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 1, 2023

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UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 3:52:24 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

MAX MILLER just sent this email to all House Republicans. pic.twitter.com/wAFEmfh8FO

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 1, 2023

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UPDATE: Friday, Dec 1, 2023 · 3:39:36 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

Remember: After this vote, House Republicans will be going to an NRCC donor retreat in NYC with big donors.

The entire NY GOP delegation -- many of whom are in a tough political position -- have stuck their neck out to get rid of Santos.

Now the entire GOP leadership has…

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 1, 2023

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