Santos takes time out from committees

Says he will focus on responding to federal, state and county probes

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

U.S. Rep. George Santos asked Tuesday to be temporarily recused from serving on House committees amid ongoing probes into his personal, professional and financial background.

“With the ongoing attention surrounding both my personal and campaign financial investigations, I have submitted a request to Speaker McCarthy that I be temporarily recused from my committee assignments until I am cleared,” Santos said in a statement Tuesday.

“This was a decision that I take very seriously. The business of the 118th Congress must continue without media fanfare. It is important that I primarily focus on serving the constituents of New York’s Third Congressional District and providing federal level representation without distraction.”

Republican House leaders announced two weeks ago that Santos would serve on Congress’ Small Business Committee as well as the Science, Space and Technology Committee despite growing calls for him to resign.

A Siena and Newsday poll of 653 registered 3rd District voters conducted from Jan. 23-26 showed that 78% want Santos to resign.

A total of 75% of respondents also said Santos cannot be an effective representative. Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte told Newsday that she has not been able to get in touch with Santos’ office and has turned to U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, who previously endorsed Santos for Congress and has subsequently barred the congressman from any town event she is present at, told Newsday she hopes the officials already in place outside of Santos can be enough for the town to function as best as possible until he is removed from office.

DeSena and Chris Boyle, spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, told Newsday they have also not heard from Santos. The Nassau County Republican Committee and local GOP officials called on Santos to resign in early January.

Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph Cairo said that newly-elected 4th District U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito offered to help field calls from parts of the 3rd District instead of having calls go to Santos’ office.

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