Senate ethics panel to 'review' Menendez in advance of possible expulsion, censure

Senate Ethics Committee leaders on Monday notified convicted Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) that panel members have voted to “initiate an adjudicatory review of his alleged violations of Senate Rules,” setting the stage for a possible future vote to expel or censure him.

Ethics Chairman Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Vice Chairman James Lankford (R-Okla.) said that the committee “anticipates completing the adjudicatory review promptly.”

“An adjudicatory review is required when the committee considers disciplinary actions, such as expulsion or censure. The adjudicatory review will be conducted in accordance with Committee Supplementary Rules of Procedure … and Sen. Menendez will be afforded the procedural rights he is due under those provisions,” Coons and Lankford said in their statement.

The Ethics Committee’s leaders said once the adjudicatory review is completed, “the Committee will move expeditiously to submit a written report to the Senate including specific findings and any recommendations for disciplinary action.”

A majority of the Senate Democratic Conference, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), has called on Menendez to resign following his conviction on 16 counts ranging from bribery and extortion to obstruction of justice and acting as a foreign agent.

At least four Democratic senators — Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Bob Casey (Pa.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.) and Jon Tester (Mont.) — say they are prepared to vote to expel Menendez if he doesn’t step down from office voluntarily.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said last week that it would be “appropriate” to expel Menendez if he doesn’t step down.

Two-thirds of the Senate would need to vote for an expulsion resolution to force Menendez out of the chamber. Only a majority would be needed to pass a censure resolution.

Menendez’s term will end at the end of the year and he is expected to lose his re-election bid.

Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), the Democratic nominee for New Jersey’s Senate seat, is the favorite to win in the November election.

Menendez last week disputed reports citing “allies” that he would soon announce his resignation.

"I can tell you that I have not resigned nor have I spoken to any so-called 'allies,'" he told CBS News correspondent Christine Sloan.

"Seems to me that there is an effort to try to force me into a statement. Anyone who knows me knows that's the worst way to achieve a goal with me," he warned.