Congressman George Santos (R-NY) has been officially expelled from the House of Representatives. He was voted out by a tally of 311-114. U.S. legislators from around the nation gave their opinions following the historic vote.
Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) voted no against expelling now-former Rep. Santos, citing the idea that he deserves a “right to a fair trial.”
The bottom line is today’s unprecedented action taken by the House could influence and endanger George Santos’ right to a fair trial by playing judge, jury, and executioner.
Click here to listen to my full statement on the expulsion of Rep. Santos. pic.twitter.com/ofR4HvHQ91
— Rep. Cory Mills 🇺🇸 (@RepMillsPress) December 1, 2023
“We obviously just had a very historic vote that took place with regards to the expulsion of Representative George Santos of New York-3. I want to be clear in why I voted no to expel Representative Santos … We set a very dangerous precedence in America when this institution is allowed to expel and play judge, jury, and executioner on someone who had not yet had their unconstitutional rights to have their day in court to approach their accusers before a jury of their peers,” said Rep. Mills.
He would also mention, “The Ethics Committee, while I respect all the members, is a reviewing body. They are not the Department of Justice. They are not a federal grand jury, and we do not play the Judiciary Branch’s role.”
Additionally, Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) echoed the sentiment of Rep. Mills, calling the vote a “dangerous precedent.”
What happened to the presumption of innocence principle?
The House just expelled a Member without a criminal conviction for the first time since the Civil War!
We still don't know much about Mr. Santos, but his expulsion sets a dangerous precedent.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) December 1, 2023
“What happened to the presumption of innocence principle? The House just expelled a Member without a criminal conviction for the first time since the Civil War! We still don't know much about Mr. Santos, but his expulsion sets a dangerous precedent,” said Rep. Biggs.
However, other Representatives such as Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX) pointed to the findings of the House Ethics Committee findings as enough evidence to expel Santos.
My statement on voting to expel Congressman Santos: pic.twitter.com/XZdsceHbJN
— Rep. Colin Allred (@RepColinAllred) December 1, 2023
“The findings of the completed House Ethics investigation into Congressman Santos reveal clear violations of the House Ethics rules, corruption and fraud. He betrayed the public’s trust and it is clear that he is unfit to serve in Congress. Now that due process has been carried out, I voted to expel him,” said Rep. Allred.
While it might be too late to help the former New York congressman, there is another part of this story that Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), a former chairman of the House Oversight Committee, believes should be brought to the forefront.
According to Fox News, Rep. Issa pointed out to reporters that Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has recently been accused of taking bribes from Egyptian officials, but there has been no formal attempt to remove him, despite being indicted.
"He (Santos) hasn't been tried either civilly or criminally, and that's what probably gives me the most pause," Rep. Issa said. "I've also become aware that the Republicans on the ethics committee wanted to consider a lesser sanction than removing him, and the three Democrats were not willing to consider anything except the expulsion."
Santos became the sixth member of Congress in history to be expelled.
