WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives is making history this year in ways Republicans could hardly have imagined when the party took control.
First, Republicans voted to oust their chairman, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, in October. On Friday, they voted to remove one of their own, indicted Rep. George Santos of New York.
Never before had a majority in the House of Representatives voted to expel its speaker, and not since the Civil War had the House voted to expel a member who had been indicted but not yet convicted of a crime.
The result was a dizzying eleven months of majority control in the House of Representatives, riven by infighting, eroding the power of Congress and taking its toll on the actual business of governing.
As the year draws to a close, Republicans' arc of power in the House of Representatives is at a crossroads: a new era of performance politics and chaotic governance that shows no signs of easing.
“Is it messy? Yes, for sure,” said Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, one of the New Yorkers who led the ouster of Santos. “But when you actually govern in a democratic republic, it can be messy.”
In many ways, Santos is a product and practitioner of a new way of governing, a system that rewards big personalities who rise to prominence with charismatic, if often extreme, public personas, rather than the quieter work of governing the nation.
Rather than shy away from exposure, Santos, who has been accused of fabricating much of his life story, embraced his moment in history, another part of his celebrity run in Congress.
Before the House vote, Santos held a press conference on the Capitol steps, lightheartedly answering questions about his future (he had no intention of seeking re-election) and whether his shoes had been illegally purchased with campaign money (he said that they were several years old).
He defended himself against the 'bullying' and denounced the 'slander' against him.
“This is my fight,” Santos said, acknowledging that he would have done “many” things differently.
Santos doubled down on his own personal story, not as the fraudster he is accused of, but as the representative of the New Yorkers who sent him to Congress and who, he argued, are the ones who should decide whether or not to send him to Congress. to delete. .
“I came in here as a crazy activist who just had no rights anymore,” he said. “I'm leaving here, no regrets.”
His meteoric rise in politics as an outsider, modeled in part on Donald Trump, reflects this postmodern political era and the power of a single lawmaker to become famous for his celebrity.
Santos joined a diverse class of younger freshman lawmakers who changed the face of the Republican Party. His celebrity status only rose after the scandalous embellishments he made about his background, his experience and even his family heritage came to light.
Essentially, most of Santos' life story appears to be fictional. A scathing House Ethics report found “overwhelming evidence” of legal violations by Santos, including questionable campaign spending on things like Botox. He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of defrauding donors.
His rapid demise shows the Republican Party's willingness to go it alone, especially when politically expedient, even at the risk of losing yet another reliable vote from their slim majority, now teetering amid retirements.
But Republicans were divided over ousting Santos, just as they were earlier in October over removing California's McCarthy as speaker after he joined Democrats in passing legislation that could prevent a government shutdown.
“One was a mistake and one was just and necessary,” Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said of the two votes. “What we did today was just and necessary if we are to claim the mantle of being the party of responsibility.”
But Trump ally Matt Gaetz of Florida, who orchestrated McCarthy's ouster, led a wing of Republicans defending Santos' right to his day in court.
The roll call became a test for new Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who told lawmakers to vote their conscience, as leaders do to signal there is no favored position for the party.
There was a moment during the two days of debate when it looked like Santos might hold on. But in the end, even the supportive votes from the leadership were not enough, and more than the two-thirds needed in the House of Representatives voted to expel him.
Time is running out for other year-end business in Congress, including passing the annual spending bills needed to keep the government running. It's the same dilemma that contributed to McCarthy's ouster, as his party demands sharp budget cuts. The risk of closures has lingered throughout the year and the next deadline for funding is January 19.
Johnson told lawmakers they would soon vote to formally approve the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden over his son Hunter's business dealings.
A vote could take place as early as next week, but it is uncertain whether the House of Representatives, which has now lost a Republican member, will have enough votes for the next priority, the historic impeachment trial.