US House Ethics Committee Opens Probe of George Santos

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Facts

  • The US House Ethics Committee announced a new subcommittee Thursday to investigate Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who has admitted to multiple falsehoods about his background and faced scrutiny over his campaign and personal finances.1
  • The committee voted unanimously to create the subcommittee after allegations emerged that Santos 'engaged in unlawful activity' relating to his 2022 campaign. After the investigation, a final report may recommend sanctions against him to the entire House.2
  • The committee emphasized that an investigation does not mean Santos is necessarily guilty. The panel will consist of Democrats and Republicans, including subcommittee chair Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio), Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.), and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.).3
  • The controversy began following a New York Times investigation that claimed that Santos had fabricated much of his life story. Santos tweeted that he was 'fully cooperating' with the committee’s investigation and did not provide further comment.4
  • The subcommittee will look into a plethora of alleged misconduct, including campaign finance violations, failures to properly disclose information disclosed to the House, and conflict of interest violations while working at a fiduciary services firm.2
  • The committee is also expected to investigate an allegation that Santos engaged in sexual misconduct toward a potential congressional aide who briefly worked in his office.4

Sources: 1The hill, 2FOX News, 3CBS and 4New York Times.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Speaker McCarthy has tried to deflect responsibility for Santos to the House Ethics Committee, which has already demonstrated its double standards in the way it treats its own members compared to Democrats. The GOP has so far proven weak, as it's clearly unable to live up to its 2010 promise of a 'zero-tolerance policy' for members caught up in unethical controversies.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by Federalist. It's clear that Santos has lied, but Republicans must do the country a favor and put a stop to the toxic moral outrage. Whatever the truth of his past, so long as Santos is a reliable supporter of the things that matter in the GOP-controlled House, it's better for him to stay. Democrats understand how to play power politics, and the GOP best learn how to play or risk wasting its newly-attained House majority.