The United States House of Representatives is set to consider a resolution to expel Representative Chris Santos from Congress. The resolution comes after Santos was indicted on charges of bribery and corruption.
If the resolution is passed, Santos would become the first member of Congress to be expelled since James Traficant in 2002. The expulsion would require a two-thirds vote in the House.
Santos has been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for political favors. The charges against him include conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and making false statements to federal investigators.
The resolution to expel Santos was introduced by Representative John Smith, who said that Santos’ actions “undermine the integrity of Congress and the trust of the American people.” Smith also called on Santos to resign immediately.
Santos has denied the charges against him and has refused to resign from Congress. He has said that he will fight the charges in court.
The resolution to expel Santos has received support from both Democrats and Republicans. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that she supports the resolution, calling the charges against Santos “serious and disturbing.”
If the resolution is passed, Santos would be removed from his seat in Congress and would be barred from holding any federal office in the future. He would also lose his congressional pension.
Expulsion from Congress is a rare occurrence, with only five members being expelled in the history of the United States. The last member to be expelled was James Traficant, who was convicted of bribery, racketeering, and tax evasion.
The resolution to expel Santos is expected to be considered by the House in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen whether Santos will resign before the vote or whether he will fight the charges in court.
