Posted on Nov 18, 2023
Corruption, bribery, treachery: The history of US House expulsions
279
5
1
4
4
0
Just a day after the US House of Representatives Ethics Committee issued a damning report detailing evidence of corruption and fraud by congressman George Santos, the panel's chair, Michael Guest, introduced a resolution to expel the embattled New York Republican.
If the House approves the resolution - a high bar requiring a two-thirds majority - it would be only the sixth time the lower chamber of Congress has kicked out one of its own elected members.
Then, Mr Santos would join a short list that includes politicians convicted of corruption and bribery and those who engaged in treason and treachery.
"Members of Congress are loath to go down that path," says Jason Roberts, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina. "Think about the democratic principles at play here. Constituents have decided that these individuals should represent them, and the view of most members is that voters should decide who stays or goes."
What's more, he adds, most politicians who find themselves in the kind of trouble facing Mr Santos simply resign from office before they get expelled.
The New York congressman, it seems, is unusually stubborn.
If the House approves the resolution - a high bar requiring a two-thirds majority - it would be only the sixth time the lower chamber of Congress has kicked out one of its own elected members.
Then, Mr Santos would join a short list that includes politicians convicted of corruption and bribery and those who engaged in treason and treachery.
"Members of Congress are loath to go down that path," says Jason Roberts, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina. "Think about the democratic principles at play here. Constituents have decided that these individuals should represent them, and the view of most members is that voters should decide who stays or goes."
What's more, he adds, most politicians who find themselves in the kind of trouble facing Mr Santos simply resign from office before they get expelled.
The New York congressman, it seems, is unusually stubborn.
Corruption, bribery, treachery: The history of US House expulsions
Posted from bbc.com
American History
Corruption
Fraud
Congress
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 1
1
1
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
...""Members of Congress are loath to go down that path," says Jason Roberts, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina. "Think about the democratic principles at play here. Constituents have decided that these individuals should represent them, and the view of most members is that voters should decide who stays or goes."
What's more, he adds, most politicians who find themselves in the kind of trouble facing Mr Santos simply resign from office before they get expelled.
The New York congressman, it seems, is unusually stubborn."...
...""Members of Congress are loath to go down that path," says Jason Roberts, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina. "Think about the democratic principles at play here. Constituents have decided that these individuals should represent them, and the view of most members is that voters should decide who stays or goes."
What's more, he adds, most politicians who find themselves in the kind of trouble facing Mr Santos simply resign from office before they get expelled.
The New York congressman, it seems, is unusually stubborn."...
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google