COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the first time in 164 years, a lawmaker has been removed from the Ohio legislature.
Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, was expelled by the Ohio House in a bipartisan vote on Wednesday. Seventy-five members voted to remove Householder while 21, including Householder himself, voted against.
.@HouseholderOH walks out of the chamber and responds to his expulsion @SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/PCUG0RM9lt
— Josh Rultenberg (@JoshRultNews) June 16, 2021
Householder is accused of running a $61 million bribery scheme to pass and defend House Bill 6, the taxpayer-funded bailout of two nuclear power plants in Ohio, in exchange for getting himself elected speaker.
A vote to expel Householder took place during Wednesday’s House session, and after lawmakers heard zero remorse from Householder on Tuesday, somre were more than ready to kick him out of the House.
Nearly a year after he and four others were arrested on federal racketeering charges, Householder weighed in Tuesday during a committee hearing on the charges and his potential expulsion.
“I have not, nor have I ever taken a bribe or solicited or been solicited for taking a bribe. Never,” said Householder.
His colleagues were not buying what Householder was selling. Not only was Householder vehement of his innocence of the criminal charges he faces in court but also the disorderly conduct charge his fellow House members are trying to prove.
Householder also said his expulsion is being “politically motivated.”
Householder addressed the vote moments before Wednesday’s session.
.@HouseholderOH’s thoughts before House session. @SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/Bjq6PEzmrM
— Josh Rultenberg (@JoshRultNews) June 16, 2021
“The reality is President Trump’s hand-picked U.S. Attorney brought these charges. His Republican fixers and co-conspirators plead guilty. Republicans brought this resolution for expulsion and real conservatives don’t stand for corruption,” said Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, who is sponsoring the Republican’s resolution to expel Householder.
Assistant Minority Leader Kristin Boggs, D-Columbus, says regardless of Householder’s criminal guilt or innocence, there is a cloud that hangs over the House by his mere presence. She also says his testimony to the Rules and Reference Committee fell short of taking any personal accountability.
“I wanted some acknowledgement that there was something he should have done differently or that he regrets or that he can point to to show that he’s reflected on just the largeness of this scandal and there was none of that,” said Boggs.
Householder’s attorney, Mark Marein, who was in the hearing, advised him not to answer questions related to the federal charges.
House Speaker Robert Cupp, R-Lima, would not show his hand Tuesday as far as the next steps the House will take but House members on both sides believe Householder’s fate is sealed.
“Now that both sides have had an opportunity to be heard, we think the time is right to get this done,” Stewart said.
“I believe the votes are there to expel him. I think we’ll move forward tomorrow with a vote and I expect him to be gone tomorrow,” said Rep. Jeffrey Crossman, D-Parma, who introduced the Democrat’s resolution to expel Householder.
A vote to expel Householder required 66 votes from the 99 House members.
