WASHINGTON — House Republicans gave embattled. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., seats on two House committees Tuesday. Even as he faces federal, state. And local investigations and calls from fellow Republicans for him to resign.
The GOP, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. Which handles steering committees and committee assignments. Voted to give Santos slots on the Science. Space and Technology Committee and the Small Business Committee. Two low-profile panels in the Capitol. the mountain
Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams, R-Texas, confirmed Santos’ appointment to his panel. Two GOP sources said Santos will also serve on the science committee.
“I don’t agree with everything [Santos] said, did and everything.
I don’t agree with any of it, okay? It’s wrong,” Williams said in a phone interview Tuesday. “But at the same time, he’s on the committee. We have rules to follow. He represents about a million people in New York and a lot of Main Street issues.”
Asked if Santos would be a distraction for his committee. Williams replied: “It’s only going to be a distraction for those who want to be distracted.”
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’re going to do some good things, and he’ll be a part of that. And if there are questions, we’ll answer the questions. … If they think that [Santos’ controversy] is the main thing that comes out of the committee. They’re going to miss the boat.”
Some Republicans, including Main Street Caucus Chairman Dusty. Johnson of South Dakota, argued that Santos should not be placed on a committee. After he attended Congress last year after admitting to embellishing. And lying about key aspects of his biography.
Members of both parties expressed concern. About Santos accessing classified information through a committee spot. A House Republican who often handles classified documents. And information said last week that Santos “shouldn’t be on the intelligence agencies.” Or the Armed Services Committee, suggesting the Small Business.
Committee as a safe place for him to sit.
Given the Republicans’ razor-thin, four-seat majority, McCarthy. And his leadership team sided with Santos, even as McCarthy. Promised not to give him a seat on any of the top “A” committees. Such as Ways and Finance, Energy and Commerce or Financial Services.
McCarthy said on Tuesday that the decision to give Santos. The committee slot was made by the steering committee and that he did not make the decision alone. Asked why Santos was given two committee assignments. McCarthy said it was standard protocol.
“Every member of the Republican conference has two unless they’re on [an] ‘A’ committee, then you only get one. And [a] number of people are three,” McCarthy said.
