Senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on the latest developments surrounding Republican Congressman George Santos and the release of a damning ethics committee report. The House Ethics Committee has accused Santos of misusing campaign funds for personal purposes and engaging in fraudulent conduct, among other allegations. The release of this report has sparked calls for Santos to resign from both sides of the aisle.
In response to the allegations, Santos released a lengthy statement defending himself and even suggested a constitutional convention under Article V. However, his defense has not swayed his critics. Republican Representative Mike Lawler stated that if Santos does not resign, he should be “removed from Congress” due to his unbecoming and criminal conduct. Democrat New York Governor Kathy Hochul also called for Santos’ resignation, echoing concerns about his fitness to serve.
The report also highlights Santos’ decision not to seek re-election, which was announced prior to the release of the ethics committee findings. New York Democrat Representative Ritchie Torres seized the opportunity to criticize Santos, accusing him of illegally spending campaign funds on activities such as porn sites and Botox. Torres further emphasized that he would be the only remaining Jewish, gay, Latino Congressman from New York.
Despite the mounting pressure, Santos’ office has not yet responded to requests for comment. However, the chairman of the House Ethics Committee, Republican Mississippi Representative Michael Guest, has expressed his intention to file an expulsion resolution against Santos. Guest believes that the evidence uncovered during the committee’s investigation warrants expulsion as the most appropriate punishment for Santos.
In conclusion, the release of the damning ethics committee report has put Republican Congressman George Santos in a precarious position. Calls for his resignation have intensified from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations against him. As Chairman Guest moves forward with the expulsion resolution, the future of Santos’ political career hangs in the balance.
This article was contributed by Elizabeth Elkind and written by Houston Keene, a politics writer for Fox News. For story tips and updates from the 2024 campaign trail, you can reach Houston Keene at [email protected] or on Twitter: @HoustonKeene.
