The lawmaker’s departure in August will temporarily reduce the Democratic majority in the Senate to 50-49.
US Senator Bob Menendez submitted his resignation on Tuesday in the aftermath of his conviction on corruption charges including bribery and acting as an agent for Egypt’s government, bowing to pressure from fellow Democrats to give up the job.
“I will be resigning from my office as the United States Senator from New Jersey, effective on the close of business on August 20, 2024,” Menendez’s letter, which was seen by Reuters, said.
“While I fully intend to appeal the jury’s verdict, all the way and including to the Supreme Court, I do not want the Senate to be involved in a lengthy process that will detract from its important work,” the letter added.
Democratic New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will appoint a replacement for Menendez, who has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2006 and served as chairman of the influential Foreign Relations Committee before giving up that post after being charged last year.
Murphy said in a statement he had received the letter but did not provide details on when he would finalise a decision for naming Menendez’s temporary replacement. A spokesperson for Murphy did not reply to a request for details about the timing of the decision.
