George Santos ignores journalists in the halls of the Capitol 2:06
(CNN) --
Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York, is expected to face an investigation by the House Ethics Committee, a move that could derail his already jeopardized political career based on the findings of the hermetic panel.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy initially answered "yes" to CNN on Tuesday when asked if the embattled freshman was under investigation by the committee, something even Republicans acknowledge could lead to his removal from Congress. if the panel finds serious evidence of wrongdoing.
Rep. George Santos admitted to using stolen checks in Brazil in 2008, documents obtained by CNN reveal
But McCarthy made a later clarification and said that he meant that Santos is the subject of complaints before the ethics commission.
"There are questions. I hope they are answered," he said when asked if he expected the commission to investigate Santos.
So far, McCarthy has not called on Santos to resign, previously noting that his fate is for the voters to decide.
But he has increasingly suggested that the House ethics investigation could change his stance toward the freshman representative, who hails from a swing district that President Joe Biden won by eight points in 2020.
"The ethics [commission] is moving forward, and if they find anything, we'll take action," McCarthy told CNN on Tuesday when asked about the calls for his resignation.
"Right now, we don't allow him to be on committees from the point of view of the questions that have been raised."
advertising
Santos has voluntarily withdrawn from two House committees despite being initially awarded the seats by McCarthy and his allies.
McCarthy later said that he had "new questions" about the rookie, but declined to say what they were, indicating that he agreed with Santos' decision to withdraw from those panels.
Until now, Santos, who faces a growing list of questions about exaggerating his past and about his campaign finances, has been defiant, insisting he would continue to serve in the House.
More false claims emerge from George Santos about his work, education and family history
On Tuesday, Santos told CNN that he is "not worried" about the House's ethics investigation or that New York voters are asking him to resign.
"Are you saying that free speech for my constituents is a distraction to my job?" Santos said.
"Do you think people are a distraction to the work I'm doing here?"
But even some fellow New York GOP rookies say it's time for Santos to step down.
"As I've always said, I think he should resign and take stock of himself and start being honest, not just with the people he serves, but with himself," said Rep. Marc Molinaro, a Republican Party freshman from NY.
-- CNN's Kit Maher contributed to this report.
George Santos
