I just saw this tidbit while scrolling through the news. There’s been talk of House Republicans furious at Matt Gaetz (pretty much all of them) for creating the mess we’ve seen with ousting McCarthy being expelled. Credible reports say many are hoping the supposedly near completion House Ethics Committee will provide the ammunition to shoot down his political career. Gaetz would be replaced by another Republican of course so no worries about the Republican’s slim majority.
George Santos on the other hand has been a constant source of embarrassment and if not for that slim majority McCarthy might well have engineered his expulsion. Except for the fact NY has a Democratic Governor, AND the district is evenly split. After Santos voters there are unlikely to vote in any Republican either in a Special Election or next year. McCarthy was unwilling to let his slim majority get even one seat slimmer. However, according to this story in The Messenger Santos fellow New York Republicans are organizing an effort to kick him out. In fact, they might start making their move as early as tomorrow!
This all began during the mess of trying to find a new Speaker, because on Oct. 10 Santos was hit with a new set of charges bringing the total to 23 counts he’s facing. Of course, with the House effectively shut down nothing could happen with it. However, the House is open for business again and according to the linked article Santos’ has fellow New Yorker chomping at the bit to be rid of him. As I said, they might try to force the issue this week:
“Heck yeah,” Rep. Nick LaLota replied when The Messenger asked if he and fellow GOP New Yorkers who unveiled a resolution to expel Santos during the speaker impasse would call the measure up for a floor vote now that the House is reopened.
“We’re likely to bring that very soon, maybe as early as tomorrow,” LaLota said Wednesday.
The article explains the process, noting that since this would be a privileged motion any member can bring it up. However, it can be tabled or moved to committee by the Speaker. A simple majority however could force the issue. LaLota said he hadn’t yet spoken with Speaker Johnson about the matter but he’s sure he can get the needed votes. As well as the additional votes needed to meet the two-thirds threshold when the actual expulsion vote takes place. Yes, he’s counting on Democrats to help out (I’m betting they will since they tried moving to expel Santos themselves a while back) but LaLota says scores of his fellow Republicans are with him on this.
Frankly I think it’s a PR move, and one that will be backed by Senate Republicans who are trashing us for not moving forcefully enough to get embattled Senator Robert Menendez to resign. The GOP can point to Santos’ indictment and claim “See? Democrats are hypocrites because Menendez is still in the Senate and still on committees!” For NY Republicans, many of whom barely won in 2022 and who have serious explaining to do having voted for both Jordan and Johnson (they will have nightmares from now till election day about the attack ads coming their way) leading the charge to expel Santos gives them (they hope) a “twofer” with voters.
Well, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. But it would be awesomely funny to see Santos suddenly booted from Congress.
If that happens…I wonder if he’ll go home, adopt his alter ego, and reenter the race as his female persona? Yeah…sure…the gop can really talk about hypocrisy given their track record. Talk about removing a speck from the Democrat’s eye with a logging truck, fully loaded stuck in theirs. Of course this is America. We worship hypocrisy. It’s our national religion.
Menendez would be replaced by a Democrat so no worries there. However, as in the House it would take a two-thirds vote to expel him and it’s clear Senate Republicans want to hang Menendez being in the Senate around every Democrat’s neck next year. If that man had an ounce of honor, or cared about the Party and his country he’d have already resigned. The asshole isn’t about to give up the protection he enjoys being an elected official (let’s face it, different rules as in more measured and gentle procedures apply to people in high public office accused of crimes) so the best we can hope for is a Democrat running against (and beating the crap out of him) in a primary. Why a terrific candidate hasn’t already been recruited and being supported by Schumer boggles my mind.
And the first GOP Senator to bring up Menendez would RIGHTLY (pun intended) be forced to go on the record on their views of DONALD’S many indictments. Backing Trump proves their hypocrisy and blasting Trump puts their own election chances at risk.
And, of course, there are the GOP Senators’ blatant refusal to convict Trump via impeachment, not once but twice.
Pointing fingers, it should be remembered, leaves a bunch pointing back on the pointer.