George Santos introduces first bill, seeks to raise state and local tax deductions

New York Republican Rep. George Santos this week introduced his first piece of legislation which aims to raise the limit on state and local tax (SALT) deductions.

"I am proud to introduce legislation that increases the limitation on the deduction of SALT," Santos said in a press release of his The SALT Relief Act. "This bill allows for those filing as an individual taxpayer eliminates the $10,000 cap and increases the amount to $50,000."

"While the cost-of-living continues to plague New Yorkers, and by raising the cap on SALT will provide real tax relief not just to New York’s Third Congressional District but to all," he continued.

Currently, taxpayers may deduct a maximum of $10,000 paid to state and local governments in taxes from their taxable income when filing their federal return. That figure stems from the 2017 tax reforms passed during the Trump administration.

The New York Republican has been under immense pressure to resign amid revelations that the lied about his background while campaigning during the 2022 midterms. Santos has admitted that, rather than previously working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup as he claimed, he instead worked for Link Bridge, a firm he said mere did business with both companies.

He has also faced myriad allegations of being a drag queen and having lied about his ancestry. Santos has resisted numerous calls for him to resign and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has not asked him to do so.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.