Amid calls to resign, George Santos awarded 2 House committee seats


Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), the freshman lawmaker who has faced calls to resign since it was revealed he lied about his education and work history, received two committee assignments on Tuesday.
He will be seated on the House Small Business and Science, Space, and Technology Committees. Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), chair of the Small Business Committee, told NBC News that he doesn't "agree with what [Santos] said, did, and all. I don't agree with any of that, OK? It's wrong. But at the same time, he's on the committee, we're gonna have rules to follow. He does represent about a million people in New York and a lot of main street issues."
Santos made multiple false claims while on the campaign trail, including saying he graduated from Baruch College, worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, and was Jewish. After The New York Times reported on his fibs, more people came forward to share the lies Santos told them, including that he was a volleyball star at Baruch College, started a nonprofit animal rescue that saved 2,400 dogs and 280 cats, and owned 13 properties. The Nassau County Republican Party, as well as some GOP lawmakers, have urged Santos to resign, and federal and local prosecutors are investigating Santos' financial dealings and whether his lies were part of any crimes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The GOP Steering Committee makes committee assignments, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who leads the group, said the decision to give Santos two seats was made with others, not on his own. The Republicans have a narrow majority, and Santos voted for McCarthy during all 15 speaker votes.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Social Security: Insolvency date keeps getting closer
Feature A new report has projected that Social Security funds could be depleted by 2033
-
Are AI lovers replacing humans?
Talking Points A third of Gen Z singles use tech as a 'romantic companion'
-
What are the Trump Accounts for kids and how do they work?
The Explainer Parents will soon be able to open tax-advantaged investment accounts on their child's behalf
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation