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Rep. George Santos (RN.Y.) told House Republicans on Tuesday that he will temporarily step down from his committee duties amid multiple investigations into his campaign finance after he lied about key aspects of his resume.
Santos, who admitted to fabricating details about his education, work, religion and heritage after being elected in November, told a closed-door meeting of House Republicans that he would step down from his appointments on the House Small Business and Science Committee. Representatives, Committee on Space and Technology.
Santos told the meeting he would step down because “he’s a distraction,” according to a Republican lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting. The conversation comes one day after Santos met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams (R-Tex.) said he understood the withdrawal was temporary until Santos was cleared of the ongoing investigations. The 34-year-old freshman Republican has faced increased scrutiny, including a federal investigation into his campaign finance and a local investigation into fabrications on his resume, after revelations that he misrepresented his experience, personal life and education.
“It surprised me, but it was probably the right decision,” Williams said.
“Without the ethics investigation being completed, I think this is the right decision,” said Congressman Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), who also called for Santos’ resignation.
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Leaving the meeting, Santos declined to comment, saying: “I think you have to talk to management if you want details related to the commissions.”
The announcement comes on the same day that polls in his district showed an overwhelming majority of voters believe he should resign. More than three-quarters of registered voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District said he should quit his job, the Newsday-Siena College poll found.
Santos has given no indication that he plans to voluntarily give up his seat.
Republicans in his Long Island-based district and several House GOP members have called on Santos to resign. However, McCarthy, who has a razor-thin majority of the Republican Party, rejected these calls.
John Wagner contributed to this report.
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