Expelling House Members: Santos Is No Traficant

C-SPAN's The Weekly

The actions taken within this body are delicate, and consistency is essential. Now is not the time to set a dangerous precedent.

Consider this: The last time a Member of Congress was expelled was in 2002, following a criminal conviction. In fact, both expulsions in the last two centuries took place after the defendants had been convicted.

That was Rep. George Santos (R-NY) November 1, 2023… The House was debating whether to expel him from Congress.

They voted overwhelmingly not to.

You probably know many details of the George Santos story.

But his mention of a member of Congress expelled in 2002 - Do you know that story?

House resolution 495 Resolved, That, pursuant to Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, Representative James A. Traficant, Jr., be, and he hereby is, expelled from the House of Representatives

And thus the House clerk began the floor debate, July 24, 2002. ..In the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly,” we remember the last time members of Congress voted to expel a fellow member … That Congressman: Ohio Democrat James Traficant .

• Why did he get expelled?

• What did he say in his defense?

• And what about his famous catch phrase: Beam Me Up?

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