By now you've likely heard about George Santos, the Republican Congressman-elect from New York's 3rd Congressional District. It appears Santos' entire life is a litany of lies - his education, employment history, his finances as well as claims that the 9/11 attacks led to the death of his mother. Santos also lied about being Jewish (he claims he said he is Jew-ish) and that his grandparents survived the Holocaust.
Most Republicans have been silent concerning Santos' behavior. However, the Republican Jewish Coalition has been an exception to that rule and earlier this week its Executive Director Matt Brooks issued a statement regarding Santos' deception noting that he would not be welcome at any RJC event.
Many eons ago I was a member of the RJC. I still get their newsletters and today they further elaborated on Santos in an article titled, "George Santos Lied". I was struck by the following:
The serious allegations against Santos should be fully investigated; his breach of trust with the voters and the people who supported his campaign is inexcusable. The RJC offices have received messages from understandably outraged members who want George Santos to be denied his seat in the Congress. However, the Constitution does not permit this.
According to a 1969 Supreme Court decision, the Speaker of the House cannot exclude a duly elected candidate for Congress from being sworn in. The electoral rights of the voters and the states take precedence over the right of Congress to determine the fitness of its members, until the candidate is sworn in. Then Congress may take steps, including an Ethics Committee investigation, right up to an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the House to expel the member.
The chances of a Republican Congress expelling Santos are nil and the RJC knows this all too well. There is one remedy to this situation that is available of which they are surely aware - call upon Santos to resign.
But they will not do so because Republicans have a single digit majority as it is and Kevin McCarthy is worried about being elected Speaker next week. If a special election were to be held then there is a good chance Democrats could pick it up as this district (which covers parts of Queens and Long Island) has gone back and forth between Democrats and Republicans over the past half century.
No doubt some Republicans, if pressed, will argue that Santos has said he won't seek re-election in 2024. Given Santos' propensity for lying I would be disinclined to take him at his word.
The Republican Jewish Coalition has said more than most Republicans where it concerns Santos. But they ought to go further and demand his resignation.
No comments:
Post a Comment