Report: Elise Stefanik votes against ousting of New York Representative George Santos

WASHINGTON, D.C. - North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) voted against the ousting of New York Republican Representative George Santos.

The vote took place last Friday, where the final tally was 311-114. An expulsion requires at-least 2/3 majority of the House. 

According to the Associated Press and numerous other news sources, Santos is faced with accusations from a critical ethics report, stating that he converted campaign donations for his own use.

Specifically, he is accused of stealing the identities of campaign donors and then using their credit cards to make tens of thousands of dollars worth in unauthorized charges.

Releasing a statement via the social media platform X, or formerly known as Twitter, Stefanik said her vote reflects concerns over due process. "I have said from the beginning that this process will play out in the judicial system which it currently is,” she stated. 

The ethics committee investigating Santos reportedly spent eight-months building their case, including interviewing numerous witnesses. 

In addition to the campaign donations accusation, the committee also alleged that Santos knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission and violated the Ethics in Government Act with his financial disclosure statements.

Santos has since not gone quietly, as he fought against the expulsion and has held numerous press conferences, threatening revenge against his former fellow Republicans.

Elise Stefanik image.