Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) on Wednesday called for fellow Long Island\u00a0Rep. George Santos\u00a0(R-N.Y.) to resign over revelations he\u00a0fabricated major portions\u00a0of his resume and background while on the campaign trail.
\nWhy it matters:\u00a0LaLota 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\u00a0legal issues.
\nWhat they’re saying:\u00a0“I definitely share their sentiments,” LaLota told Axios of the Nassau County officials’ and New York State Republicans’ calls for Santos’ resignation.
\n\uf0b7”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.
\n\uf0b7LaLota 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\u00a0showing a white power sign\u00a0on the House floor. It’s not appropriate for our conference, for our country.”
\n\uf0b7Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) said in\u00a0a statement: “As more revelations become public, I concur with the Nassau Republicans\u2019 decision to request George Santos\u2019s resignation. The constituents in NY-3 elected Representative Santos in part due to his biographical exaggerations and apparent deceptions. He must resign.”
\n\uf0b7They 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.
\nWhat caught our eye:\u00a0A fourth member of the Long Island delegation, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), told Axios, \u201cI can\u2019t comment on [Santos] because I\u2019m on the Ethics investigation subcommittee.\u201d
\n\uf0b7Two House Democrats\u00a0filed a complaint\u00a0against Santos to the Ethics Committee on Tuesday.
\nThe backdrop:\u00a0Last month, LaLota became the first House Republican to say\u00a0Santos should be probed, calling for a “full investigation by the House Ethics Committee and, if necessary, law enforcement.”
\n\uf0b7”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.
\n\uf0b7”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.”
\nThe other side:\u00a0Santos has been defiant in the face of intensifying calls for his resignation,\u00a0tweeting\u00a0Wednesday: “I will NOT resign!”
\n\uf0b7Santos is getting backup from House Republican leadership, with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) telling reporters he will get committee seats.
\n\uf0b7Santos\u2019 office did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.<\/p>\n