New York Republicans Unveil Bill Taking Aim at Rep. George Santos
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y. (along with other New York Republicans) introduced Tuesday the U.S. House bill “No Fortune for Fraud” Act, legislation that will limit the profitability of violating federal laws related to campaign financing.
D’Esposito, along with Brandon Williams (R.N.Y.), announced the legislation before the Supreme Court Building in Washington. This bill will make it illegal for anyone to profit through television appearances, memoirs, public speeches, and other violations of federal campaign finance or ethics laws.
“My legislation would ensure that members of Congress who have been indicted for or convicted of certain crimes, such as those related to fraud and campaign finance violations, are not able to make profit off of their story,” D’Esposito said.
D’Esposito provided further details about the bill in an email to The Epoch Times.
“I am committed to advancing good, accountable government here in our nation’s capital, and that includes preventing elected officials who broke the public’s trust from profiting from their misdeeds,” He stated. “Con artists, liars, and fabulists who lied their way into Congress should not be able to monetize their lies, and this legislative package would ensure they are unable to do so.”
Specifically, the bill would prevent those indicted for certain crimes—particularly violators of the Federal Election Act of 1971—from being able to make money from their story.
The bill continued work begun by Congress earlier in order to raise ethical standards for presidential campaigns. The bill’s main effect was the imposition of more stringent financial disclosure requirements for federal candidates, political parties, and political action committees.
Campaign finance is a long-standing controversy.
Supporters of tighter restrictions on campaign finance argue that the wealthy can buy election tickets without restriction. These restrictions are opposed by those who argue that the First Amendment should protect political donations.
‘Using His Infamy to Enrich Himself’
D’Esposito teamed up with his fellow colleagues to tie the case to Rep. George Santos (R.N.Y), the troubled junior House Republican. Santos was under fire for lying about his background, qualifications, and other matters that he said on the campaign trail.
Critics charged Santos with being a criminal “trying to use his infamy to enrich himself.”
For instance, Santos knowingly misrepresented his education, his past work experience, and falsified stories that he claimed to have happened to him—oftentimes stories making the junior New York Republican appear courageous, admirable, or prestigious. Santos claimed his family was exempted from the Holocaust. His mother, however, was found in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11.
Monday’s announcement by the House Ethics Committee was that they would launch an investigation into Santos to find out if there were any violations of laws. Kevin McCarthy (R.Calif.), Speaker of the House, approved the investigation.
New York Republicans were particularly harsh on the junior congressman. D’Esposito’s bill is a continuation of this trend.
“Should fraudsters, like George Santos, be indicted or convicted of crimes listed in my legislation—our legislation—they won’t be able to make money from a book deal, ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ or the next Netflix special,” D’Esposito said.
LaLota was harsher when he criticized Santos. “George Santos is a scam artist, and New York Republicans are here to stop him.”
“[George Santos] lied about just about everything,” LaLota was added. “Don’t dismiss his lies as not well thought-out: Santos lied to party leaders, to donors, as all part of a financial scam to enrich himself and the persona that he thought would get him more campaign contributions and live a lifestyle that he otherwise couldn’t live.”
LaLota said that anyone else would be embarrassed by these lies.
“They would have shown remorse; they would have hid in shame,” LaLota added.
“Not George Santos. He tweeted more, he went on national TV, [and] positioned himself in a center aisle seat during the State of the Union. Why? Because George Santos is dead broke and he’s trying to use his new infamy to enrich himself.”
According to the bill’s sponsors, it would stop Santos taking advantage of his fame for personal gain.
Williams struck the exact same tone.
“I know what integrity is and George Santos doesn’t have any,” Williams spoke.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R.N.Y.), a New York freshman legislator, won a stunning victory over a Democrat chief of campaign in November. Lawler also voiced disdain and support for D’Esposito’s legislation.
“No one should be permitted to profiteer off of their own lies, especially not an elected representative,” Lawler said. “I am proud to be a lead co-sponsor of the ‘No Fortune for Fraud Act’ and the ‘No Fame for Fraud Resolution,’ which will make it illegal for anyone convicted of financial or campaign finance fraud to receive compensation for sharing their tales of deception, whether in written or spoken word.”
Lawler, “As a public official, I take these crimes seriously and have always strived to hold myself to the highest ethical standard. Anyone who commits fraud has betrayed the public trust and has no place serving in Congress—period.”
What’s next
McCarthy will ultimately decide whether the House considers the bill. As speaker, McCarthy has almost unrestricted power to determine what is brought to the House’s floor for a vote.
The trio of Republicans stated that they are satisfied so far with McCarthy’s handling of the situation during their press conference.
The bill must be approved by the Senate if it is to pass the House. At least 60 senators will have to support it.
After that, President Joe Biden will decide whether the bill should be signed into law.
D’Esposito’s bill, despite being criticized by a broad cross-section of Republicans and Democrats, isn’t necessarily dead upon arrival in the Senate or White House. It remains to be seen if congressional leaders will move the bill forward and if the bill could get the support it needs.
Santos’s office stated in an email statement that it was suggesting to The Epoch Times that legislative pushes were not the right priorities.
“It is unfortunate that after two years of abysmal policies put forth by House Democrats and the Biden administration that there is a legislative focus on a specific member of Congress,” Santos said. “As a legislative body, our top priorities should be tackling high inflation as well as reducing high levels of crime.”
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