Republicans may have the votes to expel George Santos & it could happen this week

The Republican Congressman behind a recent resolution to expel disgraced Rep. George Santos (R-NY) from the House has suggested there may be enough votes to make it happen.

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) introduced the resolution last week, and according to The Hill, he said Monday, “I think there is an opportunity for it to pass, because I think we have the opportunity to set a new precedent.”

Related: Could anti-LGBTQ+ extremist Mike Johnson cost Republicans the House?

As Republicans try to hold on to a razor thin majority, one columnist believes Johnson is the democrats’ “dream candidate.”

The resolution, introduced Thursday, gave the House’s Republican leaders two legislative days to decide whether to allow a vote or move the resolution to a committee. Either decision will require a majority vote. The House went into recess last Thursday afternoon and will return this Wednesday.

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“Now we’re hearing that the bill may come to the floor as quick as Wednesday night or Thursday night,” D’Esposito said. “Obviously a two-thirds vote is needed, which is a tough number to reach. And you know, I’ve heard from many, some who are in support and others who say there is a precedent… or should have due process. And I understand that there’s a precedent but if we have the opportunity to set [one].”

D’Esposito also said that he spoke about the resolution with the new Speaker,  rabidly anti-LGBTQ+ Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), before he presented it, and that Johnson told him to ‘”Do what you think is right and do what you think is right for New York.”‘ D’Esposito then emphasized again that he wants to set a new precedent and send the message that “the House does not welcome liars, fraudsters and people who have made a mockery of the institution.”

Santos has been accused of lying about nearly every aspect of his life and career during his 2022 campaign and now faces 23 federal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, making materially false statements to the House of Representatives, and theft of public funds.

His expulsion would be a big deal, in part because Republicans are currently working to hold onto a razor-thin majority in the House.

Additionally, only 5 expulsions have ever occurred, three of which took place in 1861 against Democrats who supported the confederacy. In 1980, Democrat Michael Myers of Pennsylvania was expelled after being convicted of bribery. The last expulsion took place in 2002. Democrat James Traficant of Ohio was convicted for litany of conspiracy to defraud the United States, filing false tax returns, racketeering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit bribery, and receipt of illegal gratuities.