Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., leaves the Capitol after being expelled from the House of Representatives, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Washington. The House has voted to expel Santos following a critical ethics report on his conduct that included converting campaign donations for his own use, making him just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by his colleagues. Expulsion requires support from two-third of the House. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., leaves the Capitol after being expelled from the House of Representatives, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Washington. The House has voted to expel Santos following a critical ethics report on his conduct that included converting campaign donations for his own use, making him just the sixth member in the chamber’s history to be ousted by his colleagues. Expulsion requires support from two-third of the House. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
This story was updated to include comment from Rep. Lloyd Smucker.
Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation voted overwhelmingly to expel New York Republican George Santos from the House of Representatives Friday.
Only three of the 17 representatives did not support expulsion.
Republican U.S. Reps. Scott Perry, of York County, and Guy Reschenthaler, of suburban Pittsburgh, voted against expulsion; Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, of Butler, did not vote.
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Five Republicans joined all nine of the state’s Democratic members of Congress in voting to expel Santos after the House Ethics Committee found significant evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Dwight Evans, a Philadelphia Democrat, tweeted he felt deeply troubled by the repeated serious lies Santos was caught in and what he called the repeated shielding of him by House Republican leadership.
He noted on X that several top Republican leaders voted against expulsion.
I will vote to EXPEL Rep. George Santos from the House. I’m deeply troubled by the repeated serious lies that he has been caught in, the serious allegations in the House Ethics Committee report, and the repeated shielding of him by House Republican leadership.
— Congressman Dwight Evans🟧 (@RepDwightEvans) December 1, 2023
Democrat Madeleine Dean tweeted that service in Congress demands truth, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
Today I voted to expel Rep. George Santos.
The privilege of serving in Congress demands truth, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
The House Ethics Committee’s report clearly showed that Mr. Santos consistently failed to meet this standard. pic.twitter.com/80G7SmE2wx
— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) December 1, 2023
Lloyd Smucker, who represents Lancaster County and parts of York County, was among the Republicans who voted for expulsion. He said this vote was not to be taken lightly.
“It is a sad and historic day when the actions of a Member of Congress are so egregious that over two-thirds of the body believe it is their duty to expel that Member,” he said in a news release. “The United States Constitution provides for each chamber of Congress to establish rules for their proceedings, decorum, and discipline including censure and expulsion.”
He noted Santos faces federal criminal charges and that a House Ethics Committee investigation found evidence of fraudulent activities.
“While expulsion is harsh and should only be used as a last resort,” he said, “in the case of George Santos, I believe his behavior is egregious, is a stain on the institution, and should be punished with expulsion, therefore I voted to expel him.”
The House Ethics Committee’s report, she wrote, clearly showed Santos consistently failed to meet this standard.
Overall, the House voted 311-to-114 to expel, which is more than the two-thirds threshold needed.
This marks the first time since the Civil War that the House has expelled a member who had not been criminally convicted.
Of the previous expulsions in the House, three were for disloyalty to the Union during the Civil War.
The remaining two occurred after the lawmakers were convicted of crimes in federal court.
Here is how the Pennsylvania delegation voted:
H. Res. 878
On agreeing to the resolution providing for the expulsion of U.S. Rep. George Santos from the U.S. House of Representatives. A “yes” vote was in favor of expelling of Santos.
Voting yes
Rep. Brendan F. Boyle, D-Philadelphia
Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Lackawanna County
Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Philadelphia
Rep. Christopher R. Deluzio, D-Allegheny County
Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia
Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick, R-Bucks County
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Chester County
Rep. John Joyce, R-Blair County
Rep. Summer L. Lee, D-Allegheny County
Rep. Dan Meuser, Republican-Luzerne County
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Delaware County
Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster County
Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Centre County
Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh County
Voting no
Rep. Scott Perry, R-York County
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Washington County
Not voting
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler County
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