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Roundup: Pressure Mounts On McCarthy To Act As Growing List Of GOP Members Call Out Rep. Santos

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As of today, a growing chorus of current and former GOP members of Congress are publicly calling out Rep. George Santos and putting pressure on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to stop protecting the MAGA extremist from Long Island. Despite the rising opposition to Santos from within his party, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy confirmed to an NBC journalist that not only would he not join the calls for resignation – he would reward Santos for his support with committee assignments.

The dam began to break on the GOP House conference support for Santos after two Democratic representatives, Rep. Goldman (NY-10) and Rep. Torres (NY-15), submitted an ethics complaint on Tuesday demanding an investigation into Santos by the House Ethics Committee. Goldman articulated why in an op-ed that ran in the New York Daily News.

The growing list of House Republicans calling out Rep. Santos and putting pressure on Speaker McCarthy:

  • Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04): “…will not associate with him in Congress and I will encourage other representatives in the House of Representatives to join me in rejecting him.” D’Esposito added, “At this point, I don’t think that George Santos can move forward as a member of Congress… and should resign.”
  • Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23 & New York GOP Chairman): “I support the Nassau Republicans’ decision today to request the resignation of George Santos. It’s clear that he cannot be an effective representative and it would be in the best interest of the taxpayers to have new leadership.”
  • Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01) attended the Nassau Republican event where Nassau Republicans called for Santos to resign.
  • Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01): “I don’t think he should be here. […] I for one do not think he should be serving here.”
  • Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD): “I don’t think George Santos should be seated on committees until there’s been a full ethics investigation.” Johnson added, “In my mind, I wouldn’t seat the guy until we have an investigation done. I think there are enough legitimate concerns out there about his behavior.”
  • Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08): “I don’t think he should be on national security committees but that’s for leadership to decide.”
  • Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01): It would be “very difficult to work with anyone who cannot be trusted.” Mace added, “It is a problem.”
    • Mace said, “The guy’s entire life and resume was manufactured… It is deeply troubling to have someone like that in our body.” She doesn’t call on him to resign, but defers to the Ethics Committee – “It can take a few months and probably will. It will work itself out in the end.”
  • Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22): “I will say this about George Santos. His credibility has pretty much gone. […] He did it to himself. The American people are so sick about politicians that can’t be truthful.”

Other notable New York Republicans and former House Republicans also joined in calling for Santos to be held accountable: 

  • Nassau County Republican Committee called on Santos to resign.
    • Joseph Cairo (Nassau County Party Chairman): “He’s disgraced the House of Representatives, and we do not consider him one of our congresspeople. Today on behalf of the Nassau County Republican committee. I am calling for his immediate resignation.”
    • Bruce Blakeman (Nassau County Executive): “He is a stain on the House of Representatives.”
    • Mazi Melesa Pilip (Nassau County legislator) said she is “very disappointed” with Santos and called on him to resign in the interest of the district.
  • New York State Conservative Party called on Santos to resign.
    • Gerard Kassar (New York Conservative Party Chair): “Mr Santo’s profound use of mistruths as a candidate morally disqualifies him from serving in public office and exposes him to potential legal action, seriously compromising his ability to represent his constituents. It is my hope, and the hope of Nassau County Conservative Chairman Daniel M. Donovan, that Mr. Santos will voluntarily tender his resignation out of respect for the public and the institution to which he was elected under false premises.”
  • Former Rep. Peter King called on Santos to resign saying “I fully support Nassau County Chairman Joe Cairo’s demand that George Santos resign from Congress immediately. Santos has forfeited any right to represent constituents in Congress.”
  • State Senator Jack Martins (NY): “The longer he remains in office, the longer the residents of the Third Congressional District will suffer. Mr. Santos, haven’t you done enough? I call on Mr. Santos to immediately resign.”
  • Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger: “Resign now.”

For questions or additional commentary, please contact [email protected].

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