Politics in D.C. is usually a game of polite smiles and behind-the-scenes backstabbing. But every once in a while, the tension spills out into the open so clearly that you don't even need a political science degree to see the genuine disdain. That’s basically the vibe when you look at how Representative Barbara Lee dealt with the George Santos saga.
Honestly, it wasn’t just about policy. It was about the fundamental way a person should conduct themselves in the "People’s House."
The Moment Barbara Lee Voted to Oust George Santos
You’ve probably seen the headlines from late 2023. George Santos became only the sixth person in the history of the United States House of Representatives to be expelled by his peers. It’s a huge deal. Usually, the House lets the voters handle things, or they wait for a criminal conviction. Not this time.
Barbara Lee was one of the decisive votes that sent Santos packing. On December 1, 2023, she joined 310 of her colleagues to say "enough is enough."
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For Lee, a veteran legislator from California who has seen decades of political drama, Santos represented a total breakdown of legislative integrity. She didn't just quietly cast a vote; her stance was part of a broader Democratic push to highlight what they called the "GOP big lie" culture. When Republicans were trying to censure Adam Schiff earlier that year, Lee was quick to point out the hypocrisy. She called those moves "shameful" stunts while people like Santos were walking the halls with active federal indictments hanging over their heads.
Why the Friction Was So Intense
To understand why Barbara Lee and George Santos were like oil and water, you have to look at their resumes.
Lee is the definition of a "long-gamer." She’s known for her principled, often solitary stands—most famously being the only person to vote against the authorization of use of military force after 9/11. Whether you agree with her or not, people usually respect her consistency.
Then you have George Santos.
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The man basically treated his resume like a creative writing assignment. He claimed he worked at Goldman Sachs (he didn't). He claimed he was a star volleyball player (he wasn't). He even claimed his mother was in the South Tower on 9/11, which records later disputed. For someone like Lee, who has built a career on specific, hard-won legislative goals, having a colleague who fabricated his entire identity wasn't just annoying—it was an insult to the institution.
The Ethics Report That Changed Everything
Things got real in November 2023. The House Ethics Committee dropped a report that was, frankly, wild. It didn't just talk about lies; it talked about campaign money being spent on OnlyFans, Botox, and high-end designer clothes.
Barbara Lee’s reaction to this kind of misconduct was part of a larger, collective "yikes" from the Democratic caucus. While some Republicans argued that expelling him before a trial set a "dangerous precedent," Lee and her allies argued that the evidence was so overwhelming—and the discredit he brought to the House so severe—that waiting was a luxury the country couldn't afford.
Basically, she saw him as a symptom of a larger problem within the Republican leadership. She frequently argued that the GOP was more concerned with "Fox News appearances" than actually governing or holding their own members accountable.
A Clash of Generations and Values
It's kinda fascinating to see the contrast. You have Lee, who represents the old-school activist tradition of the East Bay, and Santos, who represented... well, a new kind of "post-truth" politics.
- The Voting Record: Lee voted "Yea" on H.Res. 878.
- The Rhetoric: She consistently linked Santos to a broader lack of ethics in the modern GOP.
- The Outcome: Santos was booted, and Lee continued her run for the Senate, leaning into her image as a truth-teller.
There was a moment in May 2023 when Santos was first hit with federal charges. While the media was buzzing, Lee was in Oakland talking about reparations and civil rights. It perfectly captured the divide: one person was fighting for a legacy, the other was fighting to stay out of jail.
Actionable Takeaways from the Santos Saga
Looking back at how this played out, there are a few things we can actually learn about how our government functions (or fails to):
1. The "Expulsion" bar is incredibly high. It takes a two-thirds majority to kick someone out. The fact that Lee and over 100 Republicans eventually agreed shows just how far Santos had to go to get fired. If you're following a local politician you think is corrupt, remember that D.C. rarely moves this fast unless the "smoke" is actually a five-alarm fire.
2. Ethics Reports matter more than Indictments. Many members, including some of Lee’s colleagues, were hesitant to vote for expulsion based on "allegations." It was the bipartisan House Ethics Committee report—which used internal records and bank statements—that provided the political cover needed for the final vote.
3. Watch the "Culture of Accountability." If you want to understand why a politician like Barbara Lee takes a stand, look at what they say about the institution, not just the person. Her frustration wasn't just with Santos’s lies; it was with the fact that he was allowed to stay in power as long as he did.
The story of Barbara Lee and George Santos isn't a "feud" in the celebrity sense. It was a collision between a legislator who treats the House like a cathedral and a guy who treated it like a playground. In the end, the cathedral won.
To stay informed on how these ethics cases progress, keep a close eye on the House Ethics Committee's public dashboard and the DOJ's press releases regarding the ongoing criminal proceedings against former members. Real accountability usually happens in the fine print of these reports, not just in the viral clips on social media.