April 18, 2023
Rep. George Santos Introduces Bill Named for Nicki Minaj
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Out New York Rep. George Santos, who has shrugged off calls to resign following revelations he fabricated most of his resume to voters, has introduced a bill named for pop star Nicki Minaj.
The Daily Beast reported that Santos introduced "The Minaj Act" along with half a dozen other bills. The proposed legislation would mandate "a development period for new vaccines in order to generate public confidence," according to a tweet from Kadia Goba, the reporter for Semafor who broke the story in a tweet.
The connection between the bill and Minaj hearkens back to a conspiracy theory about COVID-19 vaccinations.
"In 2021, Minaj posted a series of tweets discussing her skepticism towards the Covid-19 vaccine," Complex recalled. "The rapper shared that her cousin vowed to never get the vaccine after his friend got the jab and 'became impotent.'"
"The friend's 'swollen testicles,' which almost certainly was not a side effect from the vaccine, resulted in his fiancée calling off their wedding," Complex added.
"Little information is available about the bill or what this 'development period' would look like," the Daily Beast noted. "All vaccines, including the ones for COVID-19, already undergo a thorough testing process before being approved for public use."
"Santos' Nicki Minaj-inspired legislation is the latest odd development in his tenure as U.S. representative of New York's 3rd Congressional District – a term that may be getting a sequel with the news of his re-election campaign," the Daily Beast article went on to add.
The freshman representative, who was elected to office last November, announced his re-election bid in a press release that stated, "Good isn't good enough, and I'm not shy about doing what it takes to get the job done."
In addition to his well-documented falsehoods, Santos "also recently reached a plea deal with prosecutors over a 2008 check fraud case in Brazil, and is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged unlawful campaign activity, sexual misconduct against an ex-staffer, and violations of conflict-of-interest laws."
Minaj, meanwhile, reportedly gave a like to "a tweet plugging the news," TMZ reported.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
