George Santos' Lonely Welcome To Congress: Lawmakers Shun Him During Historic Speaker Vote (Photos)

Incoming Rep. George Santos' (R-N.Y.) first day on the House floor was a historic one — for the first time in a century, lawmakers failed to elect a speaker on the first try — but the day was otherwise one to forget for the congressman-elect who's been accused of lying about much of his background, which led most members of Congress to ignore him.

Incoming Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) yawns during the vote for the House Speaker as the House of ... [+] Representatives convenes for the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Tuesday.AFP via Getty Images Santos appeared to spend much of the proceedings sitting by himself as other representatives chatted and negotiated during the protracted speaker vote. Things got off to a rocky start from the beginning of his day—he seemed to get lost in the Longworth House Office Building, turning around after walking down a dead end basement hallway as members of the media pressed him with questions like, "Is George Santos your real name?" The Justice Department has opened an investigation into Santos over potential campaign finance "irregularities" after the New York Times reported unusual financial figures like a $700,000 loan to his 2022 congressional campaign after he only reported earning $50,000 in 2020. The Times investigation also suggested Santos lied about numerous aspects of his personal life, including his supposed Jewish heritage, educational background, sexuality and marriage history, his previous employment, a charity he claimed to own and even his address. Brazilian authorities this week reopened an investigation into allegations Santos wrote a $700 check in 2008 using a stolen checkbook and fake name. Santos has largely failed to explain the allegedly immense web of lies, but he admitted to "embellishing my résumé" in an interview with the New York Post last week, saying he still intends to serve in Congress.

Incoming members of Congress are not able to take their oaths of office until a new speaker is elected.Incoming Rep. George Santos R-N.Y. sits in the chamber during opening day of the 118th Congress at ... [+] the Capitol on Tuesday. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reservedIncoming Rep. George Santos sits by himself as other members of Congress hold conversations in the ... [+] House chamber Tuesday.Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Incoming Rep. George Santos waits for proceedings to start in the House chamber Tuesday.Getty ImagesIncoming Rep. George Santos stands ahead of the start of House proceedings Tuesday.Getty ImagesIncoming U.S. Rep. George Santos waits as fellow representatives cast their votes for Speaker of the ... [+] House on Tuesday.Getty ImagesIncoming Rep. George Santos sits alone following the first House Speaker vote Tuesday.Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesIncoming Rep. George Santos waits for the House Speaker vote to begin Tuesday.Getty Images