Republican Representative George Santos — if that’s actually his real name — has had a tough go thus far in Congress. From calls to resign, to investigations, and now legislation being named after him — and not in the good way — he is also a huge media target being followed around Capitol Hill. 

The lawmaker representing New York's 3rd congressional district, covering part of northern Nassau County on Long Island and northeast Queens, did not imagine this is what his first few weeks would look like. 

And two New York lawmakers in particular, have been a headache for Santos. 

On Thursday, Jan. 12, Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) introduced the “Stopping Another Non Truthful Office Seeker” — or “SANTOS” — Act in the 118th Congress. 

In the act, all future candidates for Congress will be required to file additional biographical information with the Federal Elections Commission. Providing false information would be punishable by a fine, prison, or both, no matter the intention. 

“The web of lies George Santos used to defraud his voters is a threat to our free and fair elections, and we have an obligation to ensure nothing like this ever happens again,” Goldman said. 

“His entire candidacy for Congress was predicated on a campaign of disinformation designed to deceive the voters. Santos lied about his entire biography and resume, including religion, family history, education, and professional experience,” Goldman added. 

The legislation amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require any candidate for Congress to file any additional information regarding a candidate’s educational background, military service, and employment history.

Any candidate who knowingly and willfully gives false information would be punished with a $100,000 fine, a year behind federal bars, or both. It would also apply to federal elections held on the day or after it has been signed into law.

“His deception is a stain on our Democratic process and threatens to corrupt the very institution in which I am deeply humbled and proud to serve. We must work to ensure that our elected leaders are being truthful and transparent with voters, and I remain as committed as ever to doing just that,” Torres said. 

This comes just days after the two New York lawmakers had filed an official complaint with the House Committee on Ethics on Tuesday, Jan. 10, requesting an investigation into Santos who has admitted to fabricating aspects of his career, background, and personal life.

Though they are not the only people to come after him. 

The Campaign Legal Center, a watchdog group also filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission this past Monday, alleging that Santos used campaign money for personal expenses, further hiding the true sources of his campaign funding, that is still much of a mystery, and requested an investigation into him. 

The Republican Party has been rather silent on the matter, saying the situation would be internally handled, and once again, displaying the kind of transparency that our elected officials should show. Democrats, and the many opposition against Santos, have called for his resignation. 

Though he vows not to — as of now. 

“I was elected to serve the people of #NY03 not the party & politicians, I remain committed to doing that and regret to hear that local officials refuse to work with my office to deliver results to keep our community safe and lower the cost of living. I will NOT resign!” he tweeted on Wednesday, Jan. 11. 

Santos’ life turned upside down this past December when a New York Times investigation was released and called into question a number of career highlights, education history, and other details. 

Some of his debunked lies include about where exactly he went to high school, the college he attended and says he graduated from, having a successful career on Wall Street, being a five-star volleyball player at a university that has no record of him attending, saying his mother died in 9/11 and that former employees of his were killed in the Pulse Nightclub shooting, though no evidence has been shown to back his claims. 

While the bill is likely to die at some point down the line, it is a message from Democrats as the year gets going.