In a surprising turn of events, the Republican majority in the House of Representatives has shrunk after the expulsion of Rep. George Santos (R-NY). House Democrats had expected Republicans to fail in their attempt to expel Santos, but their efforts were successful, causing a significant blow to the GOP.
Democrats had hoped to use the roll call vote on Santos’ expulsion as a way to highlight the problems within the Republican Party. They would have pointed out how the GOP House came close to hitting the debt ceiling, flirted with government shutdowns, and went through multiple candidates for Speaker. However, their plans were thwarted by the successful expulsion of Santos.
Ironically, the expulsion of Santos could potentially hinder Senate Democrats. It is worth noting that Santos, who is from New York, is only facing indictment and has not been convicted of any crimes. Historically, the House has never expelled a member who was only indicted, reserving such actions for Confederates or convicted felons.
Across the Capitol Rotunda, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is also facing indictment and accusations of being a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt. Despite the controversy surrounding Menendez, he has refused to step down, much to the dismay of his fellow Democrats. Like House Republicans, Senate Democrats also have a narrow majority heading into 2024 and face challenges in holding onto their seats, especially in swing or red states.
The successful expulsion of Santos sets a new precedent in Congress and raises questions about how other indicted members should be treated. It is expected that Republicans will now capitalize on this development by pressuring vulnerable senators facing re-election, such as Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), to take a stance on expelling Menendez.
While the Republican majority in the House may have shrunk, politically, this expulsion can be seen as a minor victory for Republicans. The House is now free of Santos, and the issue of expelling indicted members may work in favor of Senate Republicans in the upcoming 2024 elections. Notably, Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ), the son of the indicted senator, voted in favor of expelling Santos.
Overall, the expulsion of Rep. George Santos has significant implications for both parties, with Democrats losing an opportunity to criticize the GOP, and Republicans potentially gaining a campaign issue for the Senate elections in 2024. The Santos case sets a new standard in Congress and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by politicians entangled in legal troubles.
Chad Pergram, FOX News senior congressional correspondent, provided this report. Pergram has been with the network since 2007 and is based in Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content.
