Fetterman proposes bill that would strip Menendez of committee assignments, access to classified info

U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) continued his ongoing war against indicted New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez today, introducing a resolution that would bar senators charged with certain offenses from serving on committees, receiving classified information, making spending requests in appropriations bills, and using official funds for international travel.

Technically, at no point does the resolution mention Menendez by name. But in a statement, Fetterman made it extremely clear that the bill was designed specifically for New Jersey’s senior senator.

“When you find gold bars stuffed in a mattress, the jokes write themselves,” Fetterman said, referring to one of the bribes that Menendez allegedly received. “But our national security isn’t funny, it’s often life or death.”

The resolution specifically targets those charged under federal law with acting as a foreign agent, unlawfully disclosing classified information, or compromising the national security of the United States. In a wide-ranging indictment, Menendez has been charged with trading away sensitive information and assisting the government of Egypt in exchange for cash bribes and gifts.

“The Senate has an obligation to its constituents and this country to do everything it can to protect national security, and that means making sure that senators who are currently indicted for acting as agents of foreign powers don’t have access to our most sensitive national secrets,” Fetterman said. “If an indicted senator doesn’t have the guts or basic decency to step down, the Senate must act to protect national security and the institution itself.”

Menendez has indeed refused to resign thus far, despite calls for him to do so from a wide range of political figures, including Gov. Phil Murphy and fellow New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. Fetterman has been especially vociferous in his anti-Menendez crusade; he was the first member of the Senate to call for Menendez’s resignation, and has since called for his expulsion as well.

Even assuming Menendez doesn’t resign, his days in the Senate are likely numbered. He already has one primary challenger in next year’s race, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), and is soon set to get another in First Lady Tammy Murphy; nearly every Democratic Party leader in New Jersey is thoroughly ready to dump him if he tries to run for re-election.