Time of triumph for GOP turns into ‘distraction’ with Santos probe
WASHINGTON — It should be a time of triumph for Republicans ready to take back control of the House in the new Congress next week, but their leaders are struggling with an embarrassing distraction about one of their own: What to do about George Santos?
The top House Republican, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, of California, and his leadership team have kept silent about Mr. Santos, who is set to take the oath of office Tuesday, even after he publicly admitted to fabricating swaths of his biography. The now-embattled Republican has shown no signs of stepping aside, punting the decision to hold him accountable to his party and to the Congress, where he could quickly face a House ethics committee investigation once sworn into office.
Weeks after winning a district that helped Republicans secure their razor- thin House majority, the congressmanelect is under
investigation in New York after acknowledging he lied about his heritage, education and professional pedigree as he campaigned for office.
Representatives for Mr. McCarthy, who is running to become the next House speaker, did not respond when asked what action he may take relating to Mr. Santos. On Tuesday, Mr. Santos was asked on Fox News
about the “blatant lies” and responded that he had “made a mistake.”
Democrats, who will be in the minority during the upcoming session, are expected to pursue several avenues against the 34-year-old Mr. Santos, including a potential complaint with the Federal Election Commission and introducing a resolution to expel him once he’s a sitting member of Congress, according to a senior Democratic aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
“We need answers from George Santos. He appears to be a complete and utter fraud. His whole life story is made up,” the incoming House Democratic leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, told reporters last week. “He’s going to have to answer that question: Did you perpetrate a fraud on the voters of the 3rd Congressional District of New York?”
Questions were first raised about Mr. Santos earlier this month when The New York Times published an investigation into his resume and found a number of major discrepancies. Since then, Mr. Santos has admitted lying about having Jewish ancestry, lying about working for Wall Street banks and lying about obtaining a college degree.
Mr. Santos has yet to address other lingering questions, including the source of a personal fortune he appears to have amassed quickly despite recent financial problems, including evictions and owing thousands in back rent.
Mr. Santos in November won a seat in the Long Island area represented by Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, making headlines as the first non-incumbent, openly gay Republican to be elected to Congress.
If Mr. Santos assumes office, he could still face an investigation by the House ethics committee, which is responsible for reviewing allegations of misconduct by lawmakers. The committee, evenly decided between the parties, has the authority under the chamber’s rules to subpoena members for testimony or documents, and lawmakers are required to comply.
But an ethics complaint may end up being the least of Mr. Santos’ problems. Federal prosecutors in New York have started to examine Mr. Santos’ background and his financial dealings, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.