Representatives Marc Molinaro and Anthony D’Esposito on Tuesday came out in favor of expulsion for George Santos, a fellow New York Republican, building on a groundswell of support for the move as the embattled fabulist rejects demands to voluntarily resign from the House.
(Bloomberg) — Representatives Marc Molinaro and Anthony D’Esposito on Tuesday came out in favor of expulsion for George Santos, a fellow New York Republican, building on a groundswell of support for the move as the embattled fabulist rejects demands to voluntarily resign from the House.
“His dishonesty is so extensive, and with so many ongoing investigations, he has eroded his ability to serve,” Molinaro told Bloomberg. “That he doesn’t see this or seemingly understand or care about the damage he’s doing to the institution, his constituents and himself — is so troubling there’s nothing less that should happen. His dishonesty is fundamentally destructive.”
A spokesman for D’Esposito said the freshman, too, supports Santos’s expulsion.
“Congressman Santos’s many lies, mistruths, and deceptions inhibit his ability to serve the people as a member of Congress,” said Matt Capp, D’Esposito’s communications director, “and his continued presence in the House of Representatives is a stain on the institution.”
A spokesperson for Santos said House members should instead focus on legislative priorities, like tackling inflation or reducing crime.
Molinaro and D’Esposito join fellow New York Republican Nick LaLota, who said Monday he would also vote to kick Santos out of Congress.
But LaLota told Bloomberg on Tuesday it would be “premature” to formally sign onto a measure to expel Santos, who was elected in November.
“I don’t think the votes are there just yet,” LaLota said in a hallway interview.
LaLota pointed out only about two dozen Democrats have joined the chamber’s pending expulsion measure, offered by Robert Garcia, a California Democrat. They include New York Democrats Dan Goldman and Ritchie Torres. A successful removal requires support from two-thirds of House members under the Constitution.
“I think they know that Santos is their gift that keeps on giving, and that’s why they want this to be a slow bleed to us,” LaLota said.
On Monday, the political arm of the House Democrats announced the start of a week-long billboard campaign singling out Molinaro and D’Esposito, as well as fellow New York House freshmen LaLota, Mike Lawler and Brandon Williams, linking their campaigns to donations from Santos.
–With assistance from Billy House.
(Updates with comment from Santos spokesperson in fifth paragraph.)
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