Dem
51
GOP
49
Kevin McCarthy, who will need nearly every vote the first time a motion to vacate the chair comes up, yesterday supported Rep. "George Santos" (R-NY) and said he didn't have to resign, despite faking his entire résumé. McCarthy said: "It's the voters who made that decision. He has to answer to the voters and the voters to make another decision in 2 years." McCarthy is scared to death that if Santos resigns, a Democrat could win the resulting special election, making his tiny margin even tinier.
However, other Republicans have already called on Santos to reign. Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY) did so yesterday. So have over a dozen top Republican officials in Nassau County, where most of Santos' district is located. McCarthy doesn't think very long term. There are multiple criminal investigations of Santos already ongoing. One question the feds are interested in is how he went from poor 2 years ago to rich now. A side question is even if he suddenly earned a lot of money through his company, did he pay the requisite taxes on his income? There are also questions about his campaign finances. If Santos is indicted, he will be a millstone around McCarthy's neck. McCarthy might have been better off finessing the whole issue.
So far, Santos is stonewalling and saying he won't resign. Of course, if he is indicted and offered a plea deal that includes resigning, he might take it. It takes a two-thirds majority of the House to expel a member, no matter what he has done. Members are traditionally never expelled unless that have been convicted of a felony. (V)