Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) on Wednesday called for fellow Long Island Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) to resign over revelations he fabricated major portions of his resume and background while on the campaign trail.
Why it matters: LaLota adds to a growing chorus of New York Republicans demanding Santos resign amid an array of probes into his financial disclosures, campaign finances and outstanding legal issues.
What they’re saying: “I definitely share their sentiments,” LaLota told Axios of the Nassau County officials’ and New York State Republicans’ calls for Santos’ resignation.
”What he’s done is disgraceful, dishonorable and unworthy of the office. I think he should resign,” LaLota said during a brief interview at the Capitol.
LaLota said Santos’ actions since arriving in D.C. have only reinforced his view: “He hasn’t shown any remorse, he hasn’t corrected any of the behavior. He still has antics like showing a white power sign on the House floor. It’s not appropriate for our conference, for our country.”
Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) said in a statement: “As more revelations become public, I concur with the Nassau Republicans’ decision to request George Santos’s resignation. The constituents in NY-3 elected Representative Santos in part due to his biographical exaggerations and apparent deceptions. He must resign.”
They join Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), who is also from Long Island and New York GOP Chair Rep. Nick Langworthy, along with the Nassau County GOP.
What caught our eye: A fourth member of the Long Island delegation, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), told Axios, “I can’t comment on [Santos] because I’m on the Ethics investigation subcommittee.”
Two House Democrats filed a complaint against Santos to the Ethics Committee on Tuesday.
The backdrop: Last month, LaLota became the first House Republican to say Santos should be probed, calling for a “full investigation by the House Ethics Committee and, if necessary, law enforcement.”
”I hear a lot of feedback from my fellow Long Islanders about us wanting to raise the standard or at least keep some standard among elected officials,” LaLota told Axios on Wednesday.
”Santos has fallen far below that standard, and that’s why I was the first to call for his investigation … and now I’m one of the few to call for his resignation.”
The other side: Santos has been defiant in the face of intensifying calls for his resignation, tweeting Wednesday: “I will NOT resign!”
Santos is getting backup from House Republican leadership, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) telling reporters he will get committee seats.
Santos’ office did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.

Axios