In a highly contentious debate within the House Republican Conference, members grapple with the decision to expel Rep. George Santos amidst a growing ethics investigation. Santos, a New York Republican, has faced previous attempts at removal from his seat, but the release of a scathing report from the House Ethics Committee has spurred renewed efforts to oust him. This expulsion vote poses a significant leadership test for newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson as he tries to navigate the differing opinions within his party.

The report by the House Ethics Committee concluded that Santos had "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit." The findings have swayed some Republicans to believe that expulsion is necessary given the seriousness of the allegations. However, others have expressed concerns over due process, noting that Santos has not been convicted in a court of law.

Expulsion from the House is the most severe form of punishment for a lawmaker and has only been imposed on five members in the history of the chamber. It requires a two-thirds majority vote to succeed, making it a challenging barrier to clear.

Santos, who has announced that he will not seek reelection, has vehemently denied the allegations and labeled the congressional investigation and its report as "a disgusting politicized smear." In addition to the ethics investigation, Santos is also facing 23 federal charges, including fraud related to Covid-19 unemployment benefits, misuse of campaign funds, and providing false information about his personal finances on House disclosure reports. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

The House is scheduled to vote on the expulsion resolution on Friday. According to a source familiar with the matter, 18 Republicans who previously did not support expulsion have indicated that they will vote in favor after the ethics investigation. However, it remains to be seen if there will be enough votes to remove Santos from office.

Republican Rep. Nick LaLota, who has been vocal in his support for expulsion, predicts that approximately 150 House Republicans will vote to remove Santos. If this prediction holds true, it would reach the two-thirds majority required for expulsion.

On the other hand, some House Republicans have expressed reservations about expelling Santos before he has been convicted of a felony. Conservative GOP Rep. Ralph Norman, for example, firmly stated that he will not vote for expulsion, suggesting that it should be up to Santos' constituents to address the issue.

Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana echoed similar concerns, noting that Santos has not gone through the court system and arguing for a cautious approach in setting precedents. She emphasized her belief in due process, expressing hesitation about making a decision without further consideration.

As House Republicans prepare for the crucial expulsion vote, the party finds itself deeply divided on the matter. The decision will not only impact Santos but also test the unity and leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson as he seeks to navigate this challenging issue within his conference.