Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is facing increased pressure from Democrats as more senators are calling for his resignation and others are threatening to expel him following his conviction on Tuesday on 16 federal counts, including bribery and serving as a foreign agent.
Menendez’s former critic, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., added his voice to the cries for the resignation of the New Jersey Democrat.
In a succinct statement, Schumer stated, “It is now imperative that Senator Menendez step down in the best interests of his constituents, the Senate, and our nation.”
Senate rules do not require senators to step down due to felony convictions, but several Democrats, including two up for reelection in November, went beyond just urging him to step down and advocated expulsion if he does not leave immediately.
Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, stated on X, “Public service is a precious trust, and Senator Menendez has betrayed that trust, as I stated when he was accused.” “Senator Menendez ought to step down or risk being expelled from the Senate, as a jury of his peers has found him guilty on all 16 counts, including operating as a foreign agent.”
Nev. Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Democrat, said that she would back his expulsion.
“A jury of his peers has found Senator Menendez guilty of political corruption,” Rosen said in a statement. As I have previously said, I think he ought to step down from the U.S. Senate right away. He ought to be banished if he won’t step down.
Menendez gave up his position as Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman upon his indictment, but he kept casting votes both on the floor and as a panel member. After his conviction in a bribery conspiracy that involved acting to help the governments of Qatar and Egypt, that might quickly become untenable.
Menendez is already under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee, which promised on Tuesday to wrap up its investigation “promptly.” The panel may suggest that the Senate remove Menendez if he chooses not to step down. To remove a senator, two thirds of the Senate, or 67 votes, are required.
Just fifteen senators have been expelled from the Senate since 1789, fourteen of them for their Confederate membership. The final expulsion took place in 1862 when several senators were kicked out for their Confederate allegiance.
On Tuesday, a number of Democratic senators joined the thirty-one senators who had already demanded that Menendez step down before the decision. Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Laphonza Butler of California were among the newcomers.
When the seat becomes vacant, Democratic governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy may choose a replacement to serve out the balance of Menendez’s tenure, which expires in January. Following the verdict, Murphy declared that Menendez ought to step down and that, in the event that he did not, he would back Menendez’s expulsion from the Senate.
On October 29, shortly before Election Day, when voters will select the person to hold the seat for the ensuing six years, Menendez is due to be sentenced. Menendez announced his intention to appeal the decision and to seek for reelection as an independent. He did not specify whether this would impact his plans to run for reelection or to step down from the Senate.
Curtis Bashaw is the Republican candidate for Menendez’s seat, while Rep. Andy Kim is the Democratic nominee. “As a resident of fresh Jersey, I believe it’s critical that we get fresh representation right now,” Kim declared, expressing his expectation that the Senate will proceed with Menendez’s expulsion if he does not step down.
The head of the Republican campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, made a brief and witty remark in response to the decision, adding, “I’m not surprised.”
As the GOP unites behind Donald Trump as its presidential choice, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the Senate president pro tempore, accused Republicans of applying a double standard about whether or not those convicted of felonies should hold positions of power.
“I vehemently urge him to resign once more. Everyone is subject to the law; this much is clear. “If only my Republican colleagues will hold the U.S. Senate nominee—a convicted felon—to the same standards,” Murray said in a statement.
Beyond the Senate, a number of Democrats with more aspirations also urged Menendez to resign, including Representative Ruben Gallego, who is vying for an Arizona Senate seat; Representative Abigail Spanberger, a candidate for Virginia governor; and Representative Mikie Sherrill, a possible candidate for New Jersey governor.
It’s a depressing day in the Garden State. Sherrill declared, “In light of this grave decision, I once more demand that Senator Menendez step down right once and that his access to sensitive national security data be taken away. “He ought to be banished from the Senate if he doesn’t want to resign.”