California representative Robert Garcia, a Democrat, filed a resolution to expel newly-elected New York representative George Santos, a Republican, from Congress following a myriad of accusations suggesting the freshman congressman had lied about his past.
The New York representative has faced calls for resignation by colleagues and constituents alike after accusations of “embellishing” his resume surfaced.
Santos has allegedly lied about his Jewish heritage, and claiming his mother fell victim to the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, along with other allegations claiming the New York representative was previously a drag performer.
“Enough is enough. We just filed an official resolution to expel George Santos from Congress,” wrote California Congressman, and former Mayor of Long Beach, Robert Garcia.
“It’s time for Republicans to get on board and join us in removing this fraud from the House.”
Enough is enough. We just filed an official resolution to expel George Santos from Congress. It’s time for Republicans to get on board and join us in removing this fraud from the House. pic.twitter.com/fc2EY8PSQY
— Robert Garcia (@RobertGarcia) February 9, 2023
“There’s nothing that we know about him that we know is truthful. He’s lied literally about his entire background,” Garcia said of Santos, per the New York Post. “This is an unprecedented moment, and the House should come together to expel him.”
The California representative has support from fellow Democrats in the House, though Garcia said he is working towards recruiting Republicans to throw support behind the resolution.
“There’s been numerous Republicans that have called for his expulsion or resignation from Congress,” he continued. “It is time for him to go. We gave him plenty of time to resign and he has chosen not to do so.”
Santos attempted to rebut the accusations in an exclusive interview with The Post saying he “never claimed to be Jewish,” though critics remained skeptical of the freshman congressman.
“I am Catholic. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was ‘Jew-ish,'” Santos said. “I didn’t graduate from any institution of higher learning. I’m embarrassed and sorry for having embellished my resume,” Santos said. “I own up to that. … We do stupid things in life.”
On Tuesday, newly-elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy revealed the House Ethics Committee was investigating Santos.
Although McCarthy has stood by the freshman congressman amidst the allegations, the Speaker reportedly suggested the New York representative step aside from committee assignments until he can “clear everything up.”
“Ethics is moving through, and if ethics finds something, we’ll take action,” said McCarthy of the investigation. “Right now, we’re not allowing him to be on committees from the standpoint of the questions that have arisen.”
“If anything is found to have been wrong, he will be held accountable exactly as anybody else in this body would be.”
A House member can be expelled with the approval of two-thirds of present members voting at the time.
