You would possibly suppose that Congress is not any place for a below , just like the not too long ago sworn-in Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.). However you’d be incorrect.
Santos, who faces just-revived , has but to be charged in america, however which will change quickly. A nonpartisan watchdog group has with the Federal Election Fee accusing Santos of illegally concealing the supply of marketing campaign funds and of utilizing donor money to cowl his private lease. The Santos marketing campaign additionally on air journey, motels and automobile companies. Dozens of expenditures of logged in disclosure varieties — only a penny shy of the $200 threshold that requires receipts — trace at further violations. If that isn’t dangerous sufficient, Patch simply reported that Santos seems to have screwed the pooch by from a GoFundMe arrange for an ailing canine in Queens, N.Y.
If Santos labored wherever else, he’d be wheeled out to the curb on trash day. However Congress is a superb place to hang around and accumulate a paycheck for those who’re charged with breaking the regulation. As good as it could be responsible Santos on Donald Trump, who normalized mendacity and legal conduct whereas in workplace, you possibly can’t stick this one on the previous president. Congress has lengthy appeared the opposite manner when its members misbehave. Greater than of the Home and Senate have been charged with crimes since 1980, principally for accepting bribes. Normally, charged members put their heads down in the course of their prosecution and resign if convicted (or decline to run for reelection). However they don’t need to resign. In line with a from 2014, no federal statute or Home rule instructions a lawmaker to depart Congress if indicted or convicted of a felony. Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority of the Home, and solely two convicted members have been — Michael Myers of Pennsylvania and Jim Traficant of Ohio.
If Santos has checked the historic file — and you'll guess he has — he would rightly determine that Congress is one of the best place for him to lounge for the following two years. And possibly past. On the finish of December, POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers New York occasion leaders that he wouldn’t search reelection in 2024. However final Friday, he fended off requires his resignation by indicating he would possibly search vindication by . And why shouldn’t he hold his seat or run once more? The job pays $174,000 a yr and with 5 years of federal employment comes a pleasant pension. Plus, a Home seat permits him to boss all these staffers round. And don’t neglect franking privileges!
In regular instances, Santos’ gross résumé inflation and different lies would earn him a chilly shoulder from all Republicans. However these will not be regular instances. Given the occasion’s slim majority, each vote counts, even a liar’s vote. Santos properly barnacled himself to Speaker Kevin McCarthy as shortly as he might, voting for him on all 15 ballots within the speaker race, and his loyalty has earned him two slots — Small Enterprise and Science, House, and Know-how. Santos is claimed to have coveted finance and international coverage assignments, however small matter. He can at all times declare on his résumé that he bought these committees. So long as the Republican management can rely on Santos to vote the occasion line, he stays a internet legislative asset for them.
New York state Republicans have denounced Santos as a result of he makes them look dangerous, however it’s a unique matter within the Home. Up to now, of Republican lawmakers have demanded his resignation as a result of if he had been to resign, his district might simply swing Democratic, diminishing the tiny Republican majority.
“I'll NOT resign!” Santos . This stand is extra sensible than principled. As famous in Vox, clutching his seat would possibly give him some plea-bargaining leverage if and when federal prosecutors come calling. (Copping a plea spared jail time in 1973.) Santos would possibly determine that surrendering his seat in Congress will solely earn him a faster seat in jail. The query solely Santos can reply proper now could be how hefty is his legal legal responsibility? Would possibly his crimes be so expansive and simply proved that the feds will decline to supply him any type of deal?
Within the quick time period, we’re caught with Santos. Serving in Congress is one of the best job he’s ever had. The Republicans want him. And members of Congress can’t be recalled. However in the long run, he’s toast.