Rep. George Santos addresses "drag queen" photos and other accusations with reporters at airport
CBSDec 24, 2022
The Facts
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has stated that, if the House Ethics Committee finds that controversial new Republican Representative George Santos (NY) has broken the law, he will face removal from Congress.
However, McCarthy also told reporters at a press conference outside his Capitol office on Tuesday that, without such a decision from the Ethics Committee, he would stand by the Long Island Rep., saying "his constituents voted for him".
The Spin
Democratic narrative
McCarthy has tried to deflect responsibility for Santos to the House Ethics Committee, which has already demonstrated its double standards in the way Democrats Schiff and Swalwell have been treated. The decision is a weak one by McCarthy — the GOP leadership are clearly unable to live up to their 2010 promise of a "zero-tolerance policy" for members caught up in controversies.
Republican narrative
It is clear that Santos has lied, however, Republicans must do the country a favor and stop the moral preening. 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 is better for him to stay.
