Embattled Rep. George Santos has told his Republican colleagues he is temporarily stepping down from his two congressional committees, a move that comes amid a host of ethics issues and a day after he met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Santos has faced numerous calls for his resignation and is facing multiple investigations by prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances and lies about his resume and family background.

Santos was assigned to two fairly low-profile panels, the House Committee on Small Business and to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

House Speaker McCarthy applauded Santos' decision.

"I met with George Santos yesterday, and I think it was an appropriate decision that, until he can clear everything up, he's off the committees right now," said the speaker.

"With the ongoing attention surrounding both my personal and campaign financial investigations, I have submitted a request to Speaker McCarthy that I be temporarily recused from my committee assignments until I am cleared," Santos said in a release. "This was a decision that I take very seriously. The business of the 118th Congress must continue without media fanfare. It is important that I primarily focus on serving the constituents of New York's Third Congressional District and providing federal level representation without distraction."

It goes on:

"I want to personally thank Speaker McCarthy for meeting with me to discuss the matter and allowing me to take time to properly clear my name before returning to my committees. To my constituents, I remain committed to serving the district, and delivering results for both New York's Third Congressional District and for the American people."

Political analyst Michael Dawidziak says Santos standing down on his committee assignments will be much of a relief for constituents who want him to resign.

"I don't think it is going to make any of his constituents happy who are upset that he lied about his resume in order to get people to vote for him," Dawidziak said.

Nassau Legislator Josh Lafazan stood in front of Santos' district office on Tuesday with new accusations that the congressman may have lied on his 2020 campaign finances.

"In 2020, George Santos attributed at least $30,000 to individuals that do not exist and to addresses that do not exist," Lafazan says.

Reps. Nick LaLota and Anthony D'Esposito issued a joint statement on Santos' removal from congressional committees, saying, "This is a classic case of someone quitting right before they were going to get fired. While we, and the overwhelming percentage of Long Islanders we represent, are relieved to see that Santos will not be undeservedly sitting on committees, he should still do the right thing and resign. That is what is in the best interest of his constituents and House Republicans."