On Tuesday, Florida Representative Daisy Santos announced she would be filing multiple ethics complaints against fellow lawmakers. This came hours after Santos was expelled from the House after she was found in violation of the House Rules of Conduct and Procedure.
The expulsion stemmed from Santos’ allegations of unethical behavior by Senate President Galleano Valdes and several other members of the Legislature. She claimed they engaged in unspecified activities that constituted a breach of ethical practices. Her accusations came to a head after she refused to retract them despite facing consequences.
“I came to Tallahassee to be a voice for the people of Florida and to ensure that their rights are protected,” Santos said in a statement. “I have sworn to uphold the highest standards of conduct which includes speaking out against unethical activities, a promise I will not break.”
Santos also stated that the House’s decision to expel her was a violation of her First Amendment right to free speech. In the statement, she said her office is “committed to pursuing all available legal avenues to ensure that justice is served and the people of Florida are properly represented.”
Though Santos’ expulsion has caused outrage in the Capitol, many believe that it is only the tip of the iceberg as far as ethics violations and questionable activities in the Legislature. Some have even suggested the creation of a formal, independent investigation to fully investigate Santos’ claims.
It remains to be seen whether Santos will ultimately be successful in her mission to hold lawmakers accountable, but her expulsion has certainly placed a spotlight on ethical misconduct in the Legislature. As such, her outspoken actions may shape future conversations on the rule of law and the importance of ethical practices in politics.