Iowa's GOP representatives join bipartisan vote to expel Santos

All four of Iowa’s Republican U.S. representatives voted Friday to expel New York Republican George Santos from Congress, joining the bipartisan vote to oust the representative who has faced a string of scandals and criminal allegations.

The extraordinary move makes Santos just the sixth member of the U.S. House — and first Republican — to be voted out by his peers. He is also the first since the Civil War to be expelled without first being convicted of a crime.

The vote, which required a two-thirds majority, passed 311-114. The “yes” votes included 105 Republicans and 206 Democrats, while the “no” votes included 112 Republicans and two Democrats.

Shortly after his election to Congress in 2022, Santos first caught attention when large portions of his biography were revealed to be fabricated, including his purported education, work history and family background.

A recent House ethics investigation found evidence he also had committed a litany of campaign finance crimes, including stealing from his campaign, soliciting fraudulent donations and reporting fictitious loans to his campaign.

He also faces a 23-count federal indictment for election crimes, identity theft and wire fraud related to his campaign.

Iowa Republicans condemn his actions

While a slim majority of Republicans voted against the measure, Iowa’s Republican representatives — Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn — joined the bipartisan vote to expel Santos.

In a statement, Nunn, who represents Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, called Santos a “con man” and condemned his actions.

“Those who serve in elected office should be held to the highest possible ethical standard,” Nunn said. “George Santos probably couldn’t even find the word ethics in a dictionary. He has repeatedly proven to be a con man, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he should be in prison, not the House of Representatives.”

Nunn also said the U.S. Senate should follow the House’s lead and expel U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who has been indicted on allegations of accepting bribes from Egyptian officials to influence U.S. policy.

In a statement, Miller-Meeks said she voted yes because of the evidence of criminal wrongdoing the House investigation uncovered. She also urged the Senate to expel Menendez, and tied the effort to House Republicans' investigations into the financial dealings of President Joe Biden and his family. House Republicans' investigations have not found evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Biden.

"Members and elected officials must be held to a higher standard," she said. "This is especially important as we continue to investigate the Biden crime family and consider an upcoming vote for an impeachment inquiry to hold President Biden accountable."

Shortly before the vote, Hinson, who represents Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, reaffirmed on social media her plans to support the congressman’s ouster.

“His conduct is beneath public office and he is unfit to serve in Congress,” she said. “We should focus on solving the challenges facing the American people & he should deal with his legal challenges as a private citizen.”

In a November statement on social media, Feenstra, who represents Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, called Santos’ actions unethical and illegal.

“We expect our elected officials to operate truthfully, ethically, and responsibly on behalf of their constituents,” he said. “...Rep. George Santos has proven that his ethics do not align with what we expect from our leaders.”