The Facts
The US House Ethics Committee announced a new subcommittee Thursday to investigate Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who has admitted to multiple falsehoods about his background and faced scrutiny over his campaign and personal finances.
The committee voted unanimously to create the subcommittee after allegations emerged that Santos "engaged in unlawful activity" relating to his 2022 campaign. After the investigation, a final report may recommend sanctions against him to the entire House.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Speaker McCarthy has tried to deflect responsibility for Santos to the House Ethics Committee, which has already demonstrated its double standards in the way it treats its own members compared to Democrats. The GOP has so far proven weak, as it's clearly unable to live up to its 2010 promise of a "zero-tolerance policy" for members caught up in unethical controversies.
Republican narrative
It's clear that Santos has lied, but Republicans must do the country a favor and put a stop to the toxic moral outrage. 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's better for him to stay. Democrats understand how to play power politics, and the GOP best learn how to play or risk wasting its newly-attained House majority.
