Three months ago, Rep. Mike Gallagher voted against expelling George Santos, the beleaguered fabulist congressman from New York, saying it could contribute to chaos in the House.
Gallagher’s argument went unheeded, and his fellow Republicans, joined by several Democrats, made Santos the first lawmaker tossed from the House without facing a criminal conviction or being a Confederate.
Now, ironically, Gallagher could be the second.
Read: Report: Former RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel Won’t Be Allowed On MSNBC
GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wants the House to pitch Gallagher, of Wisconsin, overboard following his announcement that he will resign in mid-April.
The Georgia Republican argued that Gallagher’s timing further imperils the GOP’s already slim majority.
As Newsweek explained on Sunday, under Wisconsin state law, with his stated departure date of April 19, Gallagher’s seat will remain vacant until the November election.
If he left before April 9, then a special election would be held to fill his seat.
The problem for the GOP is that once Gallagher and moderate Colorado GOP Rep. Ken Buck, who announced last week that he also would resign, are gone, the GOP will hold 217 seats, just four more than the Democrats.
Read: Biden’s FDA Concedes Defeat In Ivermectin Lawsuit, Will Remove Snarky Social Media Posts
A majority in the House now needs 217 votes, Newsweek noted.
On the “War Room” podcast hosted by former Trump aide Steve Bannon, Greene said Gallagher must go now to help Republicans keep that district red.
“We’re in a very dangerous situation,” Greene told Bannon on Saturday. “What Mike Gallagher did yesterday was intentional, purposeful and puts out entire majority at risk.”
“I think he should be expelled preeminently before he’s allowed to just walk out of Congress at a date of his choosing, where his district doesn’t get to replace him until next Congress,” Greene said.
Read: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Blasts Spending Bill That House Passed Hours Before Shutdown Deadline
“I think that is completely wrong. I think people should be able to have a voice. His district deserves a voice in Congress and we should expel him and that way his district can replace him as quickly as possible with a special election.”
“Our majority is too important to throw away and the horrible, dishonest, and completely irresponsible actions of many in our Republican majority have led us to where we are. When people leave early it’s a math game. They’re the ones that out us at risk.”
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.