Reps. Dan Goldman (D) and Ritchie Torres (D) of New York demanded that GOP leadership explain what they knew about Rep. George Santos’ (R-NY) lies about his resume and biography, and when they knew it.
“In light of recent public reporting indicating that each of you had at least some knowledge of the web of lies used by Congressman George Santos to deceive his voters long before they became public,” the letter said.
NEW: Dem Rep. Goldman provided a letter to @CBSNews calling upon Speaker McCarthy and others to explain "what" and "when" they knew about Rep. Santos' “web of lies," after reports last week alleged Republicans with ties to House leadership were aware of Santos' falsehoods in 2021 pic.twitter.com/pYX9uBDC7i
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 15, 2023
The letter was sent to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), and Dan Conston, president of the Congressional Leadership Fund, a PAC that helps fund Republican House candidates, on Sunday.
Santos has faced criticism after it was revealed that he fabricated parts of his resume and biography, with both Democrats and Republicans calling for his resignation. Santos has stated his intention to remain in Congress, and McCarthy stated that Santos will “continue to serve.”
The letter outlines public reporting on Santos that has suggested that McCarthy and Stefanik, as well as other top Republican Party members, were aware of Santos’ lies during his campaign.
“It is one thing for a candidate like Mr. Santos to persuade voters to support him on the basis of a web of lies,” the letter states. “However, it is quite another if top levels of Republican leadership were aware of Mr. Santos’ lies during the campaign and chose to be complicit.”
“The American people also have a right to know whether Republican leadership, including each of you, was complicit in this voter fraud,” the letter continued. “As a result, we request that you explain to the public what you knew about Mr. Santos’ lies and when you knew it.”
The Santos Act, introduced by Goldman and Torres on Thursday, would require candidates to submit more personal information about themselves when filing to run for Congress. It would also impose financial penalties on those who falsify their credentials.
