George Santos temporarily steps down from U.S. House panels amid ethics issues

Republican Rep. George Santos of New York told Republican colleagues on Tuesday that he was temporarily resigning from two congressional committees.

Santos has faced numerous calls demanding his resignation and multiple investigations by prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances, as well as lies about his resume and family background.

Santos was assigned to two fairly low profile committees: the House Small Business Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Olka.) said the decision was well received at the Republican convention, saying, “I think it’s appropriate and I’m proud he stood up and did this. ‘ said.

McCarthy met with Santos on Monday night, but did not disclose their conversation.

“You know,” McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol.

Santos, meanwhile, said he would issue a statement later in the day.

The issue surrounding Santos extends not only to his misrepresentation to voters, but also whether his congressional campaign followed the law in reporting to the Federal Election Commission. Irregularities in his campaign committee financial reports and lingering questions about the source of Santos’ wealth.

In a letter to the campaign last week, the FEC called for criminal liability if it was found that Santos’ campaign willfully and knowingly made “materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations.” said it could be

Republicans described Santos’ decision to temporarily resign from two House committees as voluntary.

“The bottom line is that he has chosen to stay out of the commission until the situation is handled to a level that is satisfactory to him,” Williams said.

Democrats were highly critical of Santos and McCarthy for ousting three Democrats from commission and appointing Santos at the same time.

“Hypocrisy only grabs you by the throat,” said California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff. “This is a Republican speaker, sitting a human con man, George Santos, on a committee that is a series of fabricators about every part of his existence.”

McCarthy blocked Rep. Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) from being reappointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, though they can serve on other committees. Rep. (D-Minnesota) has pledged to remove a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, but such a move would undoubtedly cause Democrats to renew questions about the validity of the permit. will come to the House for a vote.

McCarthy has little room for error if he chooses to pursue her expulsion for remarks he described as anti-Semitic about Israel. The House of Representatives has passed resolutions condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.

At least two Republicans have said they would not vote to remove Omar from the Foreign Relations Committee. They said the Democrats were wrong for removing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Georgia) and Paul Gosar (R-Arizona) from the committee two years before her . Republicans were making similar mistakes with Omar.

“Two mistakes do not make it right,” Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz said, adding, “Chairman McCarthy needs to stop ‘bread and circuses’ in Congress and start governing for change.” added.

“That’s wrong,” said R-Colo Rep. Ken Buck. “Let’s stop wrecking this place. Let’s make it better.”