NEW YORK -- Gov. Kathy Hochul says embattled Congressman George Santos is a "huge distraction."

He was excluded from a bipartisan meeting with New York's Congressional delegation hosted by the governor.

"I want him gone. I did not invite him to my bipartisan meeting because I didn't think it would be productive, and also, he's not on any committees. We were talking about what members can do on their committees. So he's a huge distraction for our state," Hochul said.

RELATED STORY: House Democrats submit resolution calling for the removal of Rep. George Santos

Several House Democrats submitted a resolution to the House Ethics Committee on Thursday calling for the removal of the Long Island Republican.

The resolution is unlikely to reach the floor for a vote, and House GOP leadership has so far declined to call on Santos to resign.