Top Republican Hints At Expulsion Of Far-Left Congressman In Response To Santos Dismissal

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) told Politico that Republicans should explore the possibility of expelling far-left U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), who pleaded guilty to a crime earlier this year after pulling a fire alarm inside Capitol Hill’s Cannon Building.

Emmer was asked for his thoughts on the expulsion of Santos prior to Thursday’s vote, which ultimately passed with 105 Republican members of Congress joining Democrats. “If people think that’s appropriate, then Jamaal Bowman should be expelled,” Emmer told Politico’s Olivia Beavers, noting that Bowman has already been convicted of a crime while Santos has yet to face trial.

Emmer did not vote in favor of Santos’ expulsion.

In Rep. Bowman’s case, the New York progressive pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of falsely pulling a fire alarm, a charge that carries a maximum of six years in prison. Bowman’s plea yielded a generous plea offer that will see him avoid jail time altogether, however, provided he writes a letter of apology and completes just three months of probation. Bowman was also required to pay a $1,000 fine and will have the crime expunged from his record so long as he honors the terms of the deal.

Emmer is not the only House Republican to question why Santos was expelled while Bowman has not. Santos himself filed a resolution to expel Bowman prior to his own dismissal, as did his ex-colleague Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY).

It is unclear whether Emmer and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) intend to whip votes in favor of expelling Bowman.