A senior Republican legislator suggested on Sunday that George Santos should consider resigning after the New York congressman-elect acknowledged to lying about his background, education, and professional experience, despite the silence of the House GOP leadership.
A former House Ways and Means chairman with 25 years in Congress, Texas Representative Kevin Brady said on “Fox News Sunday” that Santos would need to “take some major measures” to earn confidence and respect in his district. On Tuesday, when the new Congress convenes, Santos will be sworn in.
“This is problematic in several ways. Certainly, he has frequently lied,” said departing House member Brady. He will very definitely have to contemplate resigning. Brady said that a decision on Santos’ resignation is forthcoming “between him and the electorate who elected him.”
In November, Santos, 34, was elected to represent the 3rd Congressional District, which covers some Long Island suburbs and a tiny portion of the borough of Queens in New York City. He became the first openly homosexual non-incumbent Republican to win a seat in Congress. However, weeks after assisting Republicans in securing a razor-thin majority in the House, Santos is now under investigation for inventing significant portions of his biography. His campaign expenditures are also under scrutiny.
He has given no indication of stepping down. Last Monday, when confronted on Fox News about the “blatant falsehoods,” Santos admitted that he “made a mistake.”
Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, who is seeking for speaker of the House now that the GOP would retain the majority, has not said what, if any, action he could take against Santos.
Brady said that if he were in charge of a committee on which Santos was scheduled to serve, “he would not be on the committee at this time.”
The lawmaker further said, “We live in a land of second chances. And when individuals are prepared to turn their lives around, accept responsibility, and do what it takes to regain respect and trust, we are willing to do the same.” Brady expressed his optimism that Santos will succeed “”he makes the correct decision here”
Last month, The New York Times conducted an inquiry of Santos’s credentials that uncovered a number of significant errors. Since then, Santos has acknowledged to lying about having Jewish origin, working for Wall Street firms, and earning a bachelor’s degree.
The Democrats are anticipated to pursue many options against Santos, including a possible complaint with the Federal Election Commission and the introduction of a resolution to remove him once he becomes a member of Congress.
