Santos steps down from House panels amid ethics issues

By KEVIN FREKING
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican congressman George Santos of New York says he is temporarily stepping down from his two congressional committees. The move comes amid a host of ethics issues and a day after Santos met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Santos has faced numerous calls for his resignation and is facing multiple investigations by prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances and lies about his resume and family background. Santos had been assigned to a committee on small business and on science, space and technology. Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma says the decision has been well-received from the GOP conference. In a prepared statement, Santos says he wants to focus on serving his constituents “without distraction.”