Embattled Representative George Santos was well-placed to shake President Joe Biden’s hand at the State of the Union address, having shown up early to save a coveted aisle seat, but the president bypassed him on the way in to the chamber.
(Bloomberg) — Embattled Representative George Santos was well-placed to shake President Joe Biden’s hand at the State of the Union address, having shown up early to save a coveted aisle seat, but the president bypassed him on the way in to the chamber.
Lawmakers typically jostle to shake the president’s hand as he enters and exits down the center aisle of the chamber. His perch would allow Santos, the New York Republican who has become infamous for fabricating his resume, to come face-to-face with Biden.
He’ll have another shot at meeting the president on Biden’s way out of the chamber.
Santos, dressed in a suit and orange tie, sat near conservative Republicans, including Representatives Matt Gaetz of Florida and Thomas Massie of Kentucky on the GOP side of the chamber. He spoke briefly with Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney on his way in.
Earlier Tuesday, dozens of protesters who said they were from his district, came to the Capitol to pressure Santos to resign.
Nearly four out of five voters in his district covering parts of Long Island and Queens think he should resign. He’s being probed by US and Brazilian authorities, and complaints have been filed to the Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee.
–With assistance from Zach C. Cohen.
(Adds Biden bypassing Santos in first paragraph)
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