Openly LGBTQ+ Representatives and Representatives-Elect Call for Congressman-Elect George Santos to Step Down from Holding Office in the 118th Congress
Openly LGBTQ+ Representatives and Representatives-Elect Call for Congressman-Elect George Santos to Step Down from Holding Office in the 118th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus released the following statement calling on Congressman-elect George Santos to step down from representing the Third Congressional District of New York for the 118th Congress. Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous reports of Representative-elect Santos lying about his education, employment history, and his personal life, including, among other fabrications, that he is Jewish, that he "lost four employees" in the Pulse nightclub massacre, that he graduated Baruch College, and that he worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. Representative-elect Santos, in responding to these reports, has stated that he is Catholic, that the four people previously mentioned who were murdered at Pulse were not employees of his but "were [in the process of] being hired," that he has not graduated college, and that he worked indirectly with Goldman Sachs and Citigroup while employed by a different company. His statement regarding his connection to four people murdered at the Pulse Nightclub massacre has not been independently verified. He has also claimed that his grandparents fled the Holocaust—a claim that has been brought into question by Brazilian records—and questions remain regarding his personal finances.
In response to these revelations, Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), the returning Co-Chairs from the 117th Congress—Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mark Takano (CA-41), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15)—and LGBTQ+ Representatives-Elect Becca Balint (VT-AL), Robert Garcia (CA-42), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17) released the following joint statement:
"When Representative-Elect Santos was first elected, we were hoping to find common ground that would allow us to work together to advance LGBTQ+ equality, despite our many differences. However, integrity and honesty are central to being a Member of the House of Representatives and to properly represent your community—both one's district and the LGBTQ+ community. Mr. Santos has demonstrated that he lacks these values. We are particularly disturbed by the reports that Mr. Santos lied about his religious background—and potentially his family's connection to the Holocaust. In addition, as leaders of the Equality Caucus, we are especially appalled that Mr. Santos would lie about losing four employees in the Pulse nightclub massacre. The Pulse nightclub massacre was the deadliest U.S. hate crime committed against our community in recent memory, and a person who misrepresents their connection to that tragedy for political sympathy does not deserve to be a Member of Congress. Mr. Santos should step down immediately. The LGBTQ+ community and the people of New York's Third Congressional District deserve better."
Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Caucus, which is led by the nine openly LGBTQ+ members of the House of Representatives, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world.
###