Scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is in serious danger of losing a vote to formally censure him, as Politico reports there are at least three House Republicans who have lined up to support the Democratic-backed resolution.
According to Politico, Reps. Nick Lalota, Marc Molinaro and Anthony D’Esposito -- all Republicans from Santos' home state of New York -- are on board with censuring their colleague, who was indicted earlier this year on 13 felony counts and who has been exposed as a serial liar who fabricated his entire work, academic, and family history.
"I was the first to call for his resignation. I’ve said on the floor that he is a stain to our institution and I’d vote to censure," D'Esposito tells Politico.
Given the House Republicans' current slim majority, Santos can only afford to lose two more Republicans in his caucus if wanted any hope of surviving the censure vote.
DON'T MISS: Trump reveals he's a target of Jack Smith's Jan. 6 probe in furious Truth Social tirade
"The timing of the censure push is also key to getting more Republican support," Politico adds. "When McCarthy convinced his members to punt Democrats’ expulsion attempt to the Ethics Committee, some of them said they’d give the panel 60 days to determine whether Santos should be kicked out of Congress or face disciplinary measures. Now, just over 60 days out with no additional findings from the notoriously slow Ethics panel, Democrats are holding them to their word."
Republicans earlier this year voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) for making misleading claims about inside knowledge he implied he had about former President Donald Trump's efforts to secure Russian help to win the 2016 presidential election.
Schiff, however, has never been formally accused of a crime like Santos has, and censure resolution sponsor Rep. Richie Torres (D-NY) has said he believes Santos' actions warrant full expulsion.
