Former Rep. George Santos makes a surprise appearance at the Capitol Thursday for President Biden's State of the Union address, roughly three months after he was expelled from the House in a historic, bipartisan vote.
In a recent report, the regulations of the House permit former lawmakers to keep their floor privileges unless they collapse into specific categories.
Former Rep. George Santos Defies Regulations
These classifications include lobbying, representing foreign agencies, having a direct interest in bills that are currently being considered, or having been convicted of a crime that is related to their election or service. On December 1, Santos was able to maintain his position in the legislative chambers, despite the fact that he was subjected to a vote that resulted in his removal that was 311-114.
The findings in the report that led to Santos's removal from his position, the Ethics Committee cited "significant evidence" of his involvement in filing false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission, misusing campaign funds for personal expenses, engaging in fraudulent conduct with RedStone Strategies LLC, and violating the Ethics in Government Act in regard to his Financial Disclosure Statements.
Santos' hard profession involves, among others, the disinformation of details on his family history, the false contention that his mother passed away on September 11th, and the assertion that his grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust.
In May, he was accused with thirteen counts in a federal court on Long Island; in October, the number of counts jumped to twenty-three. It has been said that Santos is now in discussions for a potential plea agreement, despite knowing that he first pleaded not guilty.
After his old Democratic party was defeated in a special election for New York's third district, Santos reportedly added insult to injury by making fun of them. This occurred after the party had lost the seat that he had previously held. In a campaign that was extremely close, Democratic Representative Tom Souzzi, who would later become Santos' replacement, was victorious over Republican contender Mazi Melesa Pilip, according to Independent.
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George Santos' Spectacle Raises Ethical Concerns
Santos, who was now placed as a spectator, took a seat next to Representative Lauren Boebert during the State of the Union address when Vice President Biden was delivering his speech. Despite the fact that the procedures were taking place in a serious manner, the visual spectacle of his silver shoes and bedazzled collared shirt caused heads to be asked.
Many people are beginning to question the ethical standards and oversight that are present inside the corridors of power as a result of Santos's return to the political scene, which is surrounded by scandal and legal difficulties. This continues to captivate both the media and the public.
A few months before he was removed from the Senate, Santos stated that he was uncertain as to whether or not he was going to return to the Capitol to make use of his floor rights, although he did say that this would not happen in the near future.
"I don't know," Santos said to a small group of reporters during an interview when they asked him whether he would ever make another appearance in the Capitol when they asked him about it. "I do not believe that it will happen in the near future."
Another report provided by George Santos to Fox News on Thursday, he had a meeting with a handful of his former colleagues from both parties before the address. "It's different," Santos stated in response to a question about how it feels to be back in the Capitol.
It is always a humbling experience, and it is always nice to come back," he reiterated. "The People's House is without a doubt the place to be," Mail Daily reported.
