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Expelled former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is again within the U.S. Capitol on Thursday night time to observe President Biden’s State of the Union handle.
Santos instructed reporters it’s his first time being again within the constructing since he was booted from the Home of Representatives late final 12 months alongside bipartisan strains, with 105 of his fellow Republicans becoming a member of Democrats in voting him out.
He stated he got here to observe the primetime handle, noting that as a former member he nonetheless retains privileges that embody entry to the Home flooring when the physique is in session.
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Ousted Republican Rep. George Santos (C) of New York talks with U.S. Reps. Al Inexperienced (D-TX) (L) and Joe Negus (D-CO) forward of the annual State of the Union handle by President Joe Biden throughout a joint session of Congress within the Home chamber on the Capital constructing on March 7, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Picture by Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Photos)
“I used to be simply visiting with a few of my colleagues in a really bipartisan trend,” Santos stated.
He stated it felt “completely different” being again within the constructing and didn’t rule out coming again sooner or later.
Santos additionally didn’t rule out operating for workplace once more, regardless of pending federal indictments.
“I do not put something previous my need to run for workplace at this level, however proper now… I am a spectator, and I am simply watching,” he stated.
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Former U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) (L) sits with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) at U.S. President Joe Biden’s State of the Union handle throughout a joint assembly of Congress within the Home chamber on the U.S. Capitol on March 7, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Picture by Win McNamee/Getty Photos)
A former fellow member of the New York Congressional delegation, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., blasted Santos over his look and known as for him to lose his Home flooring privileges.
“Expelled Congressman George Santos is disgracing the Home Flooring along with his presence. He ought to be expelled from the Home Flooring,” Torres wrote on X.
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The previous New York Republican congressman was expelled within the wake of a damning Home Ethics Committee report that discovered he misused marketing campaign funds on luxurious gadgets and OnlyFans, amongst different issues.
Santos has not been convicted of against the law, however he has been indicted on a number of counts associated to wire fraud, identification theft, falsification of information, bank card fraud and different fees. He has pleaded not responsible.
Ousted Republican Rep. George Santos (L) of New York talks with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) forward of the annual State of the Union handle by President Joe Biden throughout a joint session of Congress within the Home chamber on the Capital constructing on March 7, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Picture by Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Photos)
His ouster in a 311 to 114 vote slimmed Home Republicans’ already perilously skinny majority.
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Expelling a member of Congress takes a two-thirds majority vote. The final time a Home lawmaker was expelled was greater than 20 years in the past, when late former Rep. Jim Traficant, D-Ohio, was voted out of Congress in 2002.
Previous to his ousting, Traficant had been convicted of 10 felony counts, together with racketeering and taking bribes.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox Information Digital main protection of the Home of Representatives. Earlier digital bylines seen at Each day Mail and CBS Information.
Comply with on Twitter at @liz_elkind and ship tricks to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
Ex-Rep George Santos returns to Capitol Hill for Biden’s State of the Union handle
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