He defied his colleagues’ requires him to resign within the wake of the accusations, which he denies, resulting in an embarrassing scenario for Democrats. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) known as for a vote to expel him from the panel altogether, prompting Menendez to cost on Monday that Fetterman is “obsessed” with him.
“Hey, I’ve a query for a pal,” Fetterman requested reporters on Tuesday. “If somebody is accused of being a overseas agent of Egypt, will he be allowed to attend a secret briefing on Israel tomorrow?”
The reply appears to be no. Senate Majority Chief Charles E. Schumer (D.N.Y.) stated Tuesday that Menendez won’t attend the briefing that can embody Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin and different senior administration officers. Schumer’s workplace didn’t say whether or not the chief had requested Menendez to not attend or whether or not Menendez was banned from attending all such rallies sooner or later.
Schumer introduced final month that Menendez would step down from his place as Chairman of the Overseas Relations Committee “quickly” whereas his case is heard earlier than the court docket. He stays a member of the committee.
“I feel these are actually severe costs that he faces, and as a lot of my colleagues have stated, I hope that Senator Menendez will rethink his earlier determination to proceed shifting ahead,” stated Sen. Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota. Who sits on the Intelligence Committee.
Fetterman advised reporters that he wouldn’t abandon the case.
He joked that he could be “obsessed” with the senator: “I will hold bringing this up again and again.” “Possibly I’m, I do not know.”
Menendez denied the allegations on Monday.
“I’ve been loyal to just one nation on this planet for 50 years – it is known as the USA of America,” he stated. “Senator Fetterman can do no matter he needs; He simply obtained right here. “Curiously, he is obsessive about me.”
He additionally didn’t rule out working for re-election.
“When the time comes, I’ll inform the folks of New Jersey what I intend to do,” Menendez stated. “For all intents and functions, I am on observe to try this.”
Paul Kane and Abigail Hauslohner contributed to this report.