In a shocking turn of events, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York, following a House ethics investigation. This marks the first time in history that a U.S. speaker of the House has been forced out by their own members, highlighting the deep divisions within the House GOP majority.
The decision to expel Santos has left many lawmakers, including those who have chosen to retire at the end of this term, expressing their concerns about the chaos and lack of substantive legislating that has plagued the chamber throughout the year. Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat from Michigan who is leaving Congress at the end of his current term, stated, “It’s hard to deny that the personal sacrifice we make being away from our families seems less easily justified when we come here and not only is it a bit of a carnival, but we’re really not doing any substantive legislating.”
The divisions within the House GOP majority have resulted in derailing House votes and even causing normally procedural votes to go down in flames. This has led to frustration among lawmakers who believe that the institution is failing to govern effectively. Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Republican from Indiana, expressed her concerns, stating, “We just do appeasement and drama and [are] not concerned with serious issues. So we have to figure out how we can better inform the American people to put pressure on this failed institution.”
The decision to expel Santos and the ongoing chaos within the House have prompted several lawmakers to announce their retirement at the end of this term. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon, who has served in the House since 1996, cited the deep and irreconcilable divisions within the majority party as a contributing factor to his decision to step down. Blumenauer stated, “It’s quite clear the way this Congress started, that there were deep, deep, irreconcilable divisions with my Republican colleagues. And it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better.”
The anticipated departure of more Republican lawmakers following ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s announcement to leave at the end of this year has raised concerns about the loss of experience within Congress. Lawmakers worry that the replacements may not possess the same level of policymaking skills, posing a real challenge for the institution.
As chaos and division continue to plague the House, the expulsion of Rep. George Santos serves as a stark reminder of the dysfunction within the chamber. Lawmakers from both parties are expressing their frustrations and concerns, highlighting the urgent need for effective governance and unity in Congress.
Elizabeth Elkind, a reporter for Digital, focused on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics, contributed to this report.
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