Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress for corruption, on December 1st, 2023 in a historic 311-114 vote, making him only the sixth member to be forcibly removed from Congress in American history.
The decision came after months of scandals and an ethics investigation that found Santos had lied extensively about his background, qualifications and financial history during his 2022 campaign while also misusing campaign donations for personal expenses.
With Santos now gone, the already narrow Republican majority in the House has shrunk to just 221 seats versus 213 for Democrats, complicating the GOP’s efforts to advance legislation without bipartisan support. The seat left vacant by Santos is expected to be hotly contested in an upcoming special election.
Lies and Deceptions During Santos’ Campaign Come Back to Haunt Him
Despite winning New York’s 3rd Congressional District in November 2022, George Santos soon faced allegations that many key parts of his background and credentials were completely fabricated.
Santos had campaigned heavily on his business experience and Ivy League education, but reporters soon found no evidence he had attended or graduated from Baruch College or New York University as claimed. Further inquiries cast doubt on his statements about previous employers, found no proof of his Jewish heritage and religious nonprofit work, and raised questions around the source of his wealth.
As the scrutiny intensified, Santos admitted to lying about significant portions of his resume, defended some exaggerations as “sins” from his past, but insisted he had committed no crimes and had the right to serve in Congress. However an ethics investigation initiated in January 2023 uncovered far more serious transgressions.
Ethics Panel Finds Rampant Campaign Finance Abuse and Personal Enrichment
The House Ethics Committee report released on November 15th presented damning evidence that Santos had “engaged in a disturbing pattern of financial deceit” by using over $700,000 in campaign donations to enrich himself and fund a lavish lifestyle.
Investigators found Santos spent donated money on expensive shopping sprees, beauty procedures, club visits, and a subscription to the adult website OnlyFans. He was also accused of hiding the sources of questionable six-figure loans he made to his campaign. Such personal use of political contributions is strictly forbidden.
The panel concluded Santos had “abused the trust” placed in him by voters and donors who expected their money to fund his election, rather than serve as his “personal piggy bank.” They recommended the “ultimate sanction” of expelling Santos from the House.
With Republican leaders no longer willing to defend his many proven lies and financial improprieties, momentum grew quickly for his ouster.
House Votes Decisively to Expel the Disgraced Congressman
Citing both his ethical misconduct and the “disrepute” he brought to Congress, a bipartisan group of House legislators introduced the resolution to expel George Santos in late November, setting up the final vote on December 1st.
Despite some continued opposition from GOP representatives hoping to preserve their slim majority, the landmark motion to remove Santos passed with over 75% approval.
In statements after the vote, Democratic leaders framed the decision as an essential stand against corruption that strengthens accountability. Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy maintained the move allows the House to “turn the page” from the Santos scandal and focus on other priorities.
What Comes Next Following Expulsion from Congress
In the short term, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York must announce a date for a special election within 10 days to fill the now vacant 3rd District seat in Long Island/Queens. That vote will likely happen in late February.
Former Congressman Tom Souzzi who previously held the district has already declared his campaign to regain the post for Democrats. With Santos tarnishing its image, Republicans may struggle to hold the traditionally blue-leaning district in the special election.
The long-term outlook for George Santos remains filled with more legal troubles. He still faces over 20 criminal charges related to alleged fraud and theft in Nassau County which carry up to 25 years in prison.
Now stripped of his platform and powers as an elected member of Congress, Santos will fight those felony cases as an unelected citizen. Regardless of the verdicts, his brief but infamous political career is finished.
The lies Santos peddled to win his House seat were extreme and sustained, but the personal and financial corruption uncovered by investigators proved even more egregious, incompatible with Congressional service.
His expulsion comes not only as accountability for his own disreputable actions, but also as a message reinforcing overarching ethical standards for those elected to national office regardless of party.
The difficult work of regaining voters’ trust now moves forward in New York’s 3rd District while Santos faces a treacherous legal road ahead. The definitive bipartisan vote to remove him from the House will mark the end of one deceptive figure’s rise in politics, while underscoring the tough scrutiny all elected members must be prepared for.
