Long Island’s incoming Republican congressmen break silence on Santos

Since Congressman-elect George Santos admitted to fabricating his resume on Monday, his fellow incoming Republican U.S. representatives have spoken out against his dodgy behavior to varying degrees.

Congressman-elect Nick LaLota, who won in New York’s 1st congressional district to replace Lee Zeldin in Suffolk County, has called on the House Ethics Committee to investigate Santos, saying Long Islanders are “deeply troubled” by the recent news articles calling his life story into question.

“As a Navy man who campaigned on restoring accountability and integrity to our government, I believe a full investigation by the House Ethics Committee and, if necessary, law enforcement, is required,” LaLota said in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve the truth and House Republicans deserve an opportunity to govern without this distraction.”

In New York’s 4th congressional district, Town of Hempstead Councilman and Congressman-elect Anthony D’Esposito said he wishes for Santos to adopt a “spirit of sincerity,” but stopped short of calling for an investigation. He specifically called out Santos for falsely claiming his grandparents fled persecution during World War II.

“Neighbors across Long Island are deeply hurt and rightly offended by the lies and misstatements made by Congressman-elect George Santos. His fabrications regarding the Holocaust and his family’s history are particularly hurtful,” D’Esposito said in a statement. “While Santos has taken a required first step by ‘coming clean’ with respect to his education, work experience and other issues, he must continue to pursue a path of honesty.”

Though Santos addressed questions about his past jobs and education, he did not explain questions regarding his campaign donations, voting address, nonprofit for which no IRS records could be found, and that employees of a company he founded were killed in the Pulse nightclub massacre.

In an appearance on Fox News Wednesday, guest host Tulsi Gabbard asked Santos, “Do you have no shame?” He responded:

“Tulsi, I can say the same thing about the Democrats and the party. Look at Joe Biden. Joe Biden’s been lying to the American people for 40 years. He’s the president of the United States. Democrats over-resoundingly support him. Do they have no shame?”

Santos has also denied that he lied on his resume, instead calling the falsehoods “embellishments.”