Embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was selected for a spot on the Small Business Committee and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on Wednesday despite colleagues’ concerns over him serving on panels after it came to light that he fabricated large parts of his backstory.
Santos has come under fire from members on both sides of the aisle after appearing to lie about graduating from college, working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, having grandparents who fled Europe to escape the Holocaust, being Jewish, and details regarding his property ownership on financial disclosures. He has also faced allegations of check fraud in Brazil and campaign finance violations.
GEORGE SANTOS SCANDAL: A RUNNING LIST OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ MOST QUESTIONABLE CLAIMS
Pressure has mounted on Santos to resign, with his freshman New York GOP colleagues — Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Nick Langworthy, and Brandon Williams — calling on him to step down. Santos is also facing calls to resign from the Nassau County Republican Committee and Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Max Miller (R-OH).
Members have also voiced concerns about Santos having access to sensitive and classified information in briefings as a member of Congress.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Despite calls for him to give up his seat, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has stated he believes it is up to his constituents and said Santos will be subject to the same ethics standards as other members. Santos refuses to step down and has repeatedly downplayed the gravity of the fabrications during media hits.
The Small Business Committee, led by Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX), is tasked with assessing policies and conducting oversight to help better the small business community.
The Science Committee, which is led by Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), has jurisdiction over a large portion of “non-defense and non-human-health Federal research and development.”
