Rep. Fleischmann explains his vote to not expel Santos

December 1, 2023

WDEF News,

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Local Rep. Chuck Fleischmann was one of the republicans who voted not to expel New York Rep. George Santos from the House.

News 12 reached out to Rep. Fleischmann to understand why he voted “no.”

In short, Rep. Fleischmann said he does not condone the allegations against Santos, but he does not believe Santos should be expelled until convicted in court.

Here is the full statement he provided:

Congressman Fleischmann takes expelling a colleague from the House of Representatives extremely seriously. In the 234-year history of the House, only five Members have been expelled: three for taking up arms against the United States in the Civil War and two after being convicted of federal crimes. While Rep. Fleischmann is greatly concerned and personally revolted with the allegations against Mr. Santos in the Ethics Committee’s report, he does not want to break the precedent established since the inception of the House in 1789 that a Representative should be expelled for either treason against the United States or after being convicted of a crime in a court of law.

Congressman Fleischmann believes Mr. Santos deserves his day in court and the due process of law. Rep. Fleischmann’s vote not to expel George Santos is solely to preserve the essential principle of American justice that everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process, and also to preserve the long-held precedents of the institution of the House of Representatives – not to defend or condone any alleged wrongdoing committed by Mr. Santos.

Santos is only the sixth to ever be expelled from the House.