In a recent vote that captivated the attention of the nation, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) made headlines by casting his vote against the expulsion of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from the House of Representatives. Raskin, a prominent progressive and a seasoned constitutional law professor, explained his decision, citing the importance of upholding due process and the rule of law.
The resolution to remove Santos from office failed to garner the required two-thirds majority, with 31 Democrats joining 182 Republicans in voting against it. Raskin’s decision to vote against expulsion stemmed from his belief that it would set a dangerous precedent. He emphasized that Santos has not yet been criminally convicted of the charges outlined in the resolution, nor has he been found guilty of any ethics offenses through the House’s internal process.
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Santos faces a staggering 23 felony counts, including wire fraud, credit card fraud, and identity theft. His troubled tenure in office began when journalists uncovered that he had fabricated a significant portion of his background and qualifications to secure his election. Calls for his resignation have been mounting ever since.
Raskin’s opposition to expulsion centers on his unwavering commitment to the Constitution. He pointed out that throughout the history of the House, only five individuals have been expelled. Three were expelled for fighting against the U.S. government during the Civil War, and the remaining two were expelled after being convicted of criminal offenses. Raskin maintained that if Santos is found guilty in either investigation, he would not hesitate to vote for expulsion.
However, Raskin expressed concerns about the potential misuse of expulsion as a political weapon. He cited examples of Democratic members who, in his opinion, Republicans might seek to expel without a conviction or adverse ethics findings. Upholding due process and the rule of law, according to Raskin, should be paramount within the House of Representatives.
Raskin’s stance found support among several other progressive lawmakers who also voted against the resolution. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), and Rep. Rob Menendez Jr. (D-N.J.) all aligned with Raskin’s belief in preserving due process and the rule of law. The latter’s father, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), has refused to resign despite being indicted on bribery charges.
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The expulsion resolution was initiated by Rep. Anthony D’Esposito of New York, who leads a group of GOP lawmakers advocating for Santos’ removal from office. Santos, who is currently running for reelection in 2024, will face a criminal trial scheduled to commence in mid-September, just two months before the election.
As the nation awaits the outcome of Santos’ trial, the debate surrounding his expulsion from the House of Representatives continues reverberating through the halls of Congress. Rep. Jamie Raskin’s unwavering commitment to constitutional principles and due process has positioned him as a prominent voice in the ongoing conversation. The outcome of Santos’ trial and the subsequent political fallout will undoubtedly shape the future of not only these two individuals but also the broader landscape of American politics.
