Fellow lawmakers Wednesday demanded controversial Rep. George Santos resign or be expelled from Congress after he was indicted on a string of federal charges.
But Republican House leaders said no action will be taken until the Long Island Republican is actually convicted of crimes.
“He needs to go right away,” said Rep. Nick LaLota, a fellow Republican who represents the East End of Long Island. “He’s a complete embarrassment.”
“I once again call on this serial fraudster to resign from office,” said Rep. Anthony D’Esposito another Long Island Republican.
Rep. Marc Molinaro, a Hudson Valley Republican said Santos “should have resigned in December. He should have resigned in January. He should have resigned yesterday and maybe he’ll resign today.
“Sooner or later, honesty and justice will be delivered to him,” Molinaro said.
But GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy insisted he wouldn’t pressure Santos to resign until or unless he is convicted or pleads guilty to the string of financial crimes.
That could keep the seat in GOP hands until the 2024 elections, a key priority for McCarthy as he holds power by the slimmest of margins.
“I think in America, you’re innocent till proven guilty,” McCarthy said. He noted that he followed the same routine when Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) was recently accused of lying to federal agents.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time a member of Congress from either party has been indicted,” added Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), the No. 3 Republican House leader.
If Santos does not step down, perhaps as part of a deal with prosecutors, the only option for legislators would be to expel him.
That takes a two-thirds vote of the House, a high bar that would require the backing of Republican leaders.
Only two lawmakers have been expelled since the post-Civil War period and both were ousted only after they were convicted on corruption charges.
Rep. Dan Goldman, a Manhattan Democrat, scoffed at the GOP defense of Santos, noting that the information presented in the indictment along with the lies Santos has already admitted make him a liability.
“It is incumbent on Speaker Kevin McCarthy to eliminate the stain of Santos on this hallowed institution,” he said. “We cannot wait any longer.”