New York Democratic Representative Richie Torres is proposing a change in House rules to prevent expelled members of Congress, such as former New York Congressman George Santos, from retaining House floor visiting privileges. This move comes after Santos' presence at the State of the Union address drew attention to the issue of expelled members enjoying the same privileges as current members.
Under the proposed rule change, known as the 'George Rule,' expelled members like Santos would have their floor privileges revoked. The rule aims to differentiate between former members who left Congress in good standing and those who were expelled for misconduct.
Representative Torres credited his team for coming up with the acronym 'George,' which stands for 'getting expelled officially revokes guaranteed entry.' The rule seeks to address the loophole that allows expelled members to continue accessing the House floor, despite their tarnished reputations.
The George Rule is part of a broader effort to uphold the integrity of the House of Representatives and ensure that individuals who have been expelled for misconduct do not benefit from the same privileges as respected former members. Torres emphasized the importance of maintaining the standards of conduct within Congress and holding members accountable for their actions.
As the proposal gains traction, it highlights the ongoing discussions around ethics and accountability in Congress. The introduction of the George Rule signals a proactive approach to addressing issues related to expelled members and their access to House floor privileges.
Representative Torres' initiative reflects a commitment to upholding the values of transparency and accountability within the legislative body, setting a precedent for future considerations regarding the conduct of former members of Congress.
