Moments after House members cast a historic vote to expel Representative George Santos of New York, Speaker Mike Johnson banged the gavel with a grim look on his face.
“In light of the expulsion of the gentleman from New York, Mr. Santos, the whole number of the House is now 434,” he announced gravely to an uncommonly silent House chamber, looking down with a faint grimace.
It made official what had been apparent in recent days — that many of his fellow Republicans had been willing to defy his wish to keep Mr. Santos, a serial fabulist, in Congress, and that Mr. Johnson and his party were now facing ever-more brutal political math.
Their slim four-vote majority has dwindled to just three.
That will make governing more difficult for Republicans, who have already had immense trouble corralling their fractious members to steer legislation through the closely divided House.
Persons:
George Santos, Mike Johnson, Santos, ”, Johnson
Organizations:
Republicans
Locations:
George Santos of New York, New York, Congress