Resolution to expel George Santos from Congress filed - Major Digest

(NewsNation) — The chairman of the House Ethics Committee, Rep. Michael Guest, has filed a motion to expel Rep. George Santos, even though the committee did not make a recommendation of punishment to the House.

The Ethics Committee finished its work without going through a longer process that would have resulted in a recommendation for punishment in light of public scrutiny on Santos as well as an indictment from the Department of Justice.

Guest said the committee's investigation has already turned up sufficient information to indicate wrongdoing.

"The evidence uncovered in the Ethics Committee’s Investigative Subcommittee investigation is more than sufficient to warrant punishment, and the most appropriate punishment is expulsion," Guest said.

Guest has filed the resolution for expulsion individually, separate from his role as chair of the committee. The resolution noted the committee found "substantial evidence" of ethical violations and criminal activity, including alleged crimes not covered in the current indictment.

Santos previously announced he would not be seeking reelection but has resisted calls to resign. He has maintained his innocence as he faces charges of theft of public funds, identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering and lying to Congress. In addition to finance-related crimes, Santos has been accused of lying about his background during his campaign, including his religion, educational background and career history.

An earlier effort to expel Santos failed. Expulsion from the House is rare and has only happened five times in history, three of them during the Civil War.

Reasons other members of the House have been expelled include encouraging secession, a bribery scheme and a corruption scandal that included misuse of campaign funds and mistreatment of staff.

Read the full resolution here: