Long Island liar George Santos scores points on two House committees: Small Business and Science, Space and Technology, while an ethics panel decides his fate
Controversial New York Rep. George Santos was finally assigned two committee seats Tuesday amid a wave of condemnation from peers and voters alike to push the truth-challenged GOP congressman to resign or leave Congress.
Roger Williams, chairman of Texas-based Small Business, confirmed Santos’ appointment to the panel, and two members of the GOP steering committee said the New York congressman will also sit on the space and technology committee.
When asked if Santos would distract his committee, Williams replied, “It’s just going to be a distraction for those who want to distract.”
The newly appointed congressman is already facing multiple scandals and investigations from federal, state, and local prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances and lies about his resume and family heritage.
Rep. George Santos (R-NY) has been given a seat on two House committees, despite peers and constituents demanding he resign over misrepresentation
An outraged Democrat, Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York, joined residents of GOP Rep. George Santos’ Long Island district on Tuesday in calling for the Federal Election Commission to review his campaign finances, first reported by ABC News would.
“I’m here to show my support for the concerned citizens of NY-03 who have been systematically deceived and betrayed by their own congressman,” Torres said.
The Bronx congressman said he was sending a letter to the FEC to launch an investigation into what he called the “web of incestuous relationships” between Santos’ campaign, his company and the Redstone Strategies group. According to the New York Times, the fundraising group has no record of the group’s donors or expenses.
“The $700,000 question is where all the money came from,” Torres said.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) is demanding not only that Santos resign immediately, but that the Ethics Committee and FEC investigate allegations of fraud and misuse of election funds
A protester holds a sign that reads “Resign Santos,” referring to MP George Santos (R-NY).
The congressman, swarmed daily by reporters in the Capitol, has flatly dismissed the growing call for his resignation, saying, “I won’t.”
Republican leaders have refused to take action against Santos, whose election helped them retain a majority in the 222-seat House of Representatives. Santos also voted in the noisy vote to make GOP leader Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House of Representatives.
McCarthy continues to stand by the beleaguered congressman and says his constituents made their choice.
“The voters have decided. He has a right of service,” said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “If it turns out he did something wrong, we’ll deal with that later.”
The Democrats have been scathing in their criticism.
“Kevin McCarthy belongs to George Santos, lock and barrel,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, leader of the Democratic Group in the House of Representatives. “That’s the only reason he sat here to give George Santos the opportunity to vote for Kevin McCarthy. So let’s call it exactly what it is. There should be an impact,” he told ABC News.
The next steps of the ethics committee are unclear. As part of the new house rules package, every citizen can now lodge a complaint against the legislator. Ethics advocates have warned that other new rules will weaken the committee’s staff and membership.
The committee has not yet fully formed as House Republicans are in the process of electing committee chairs and members and establishing the new Congress.