Renzi Should Step Down, House GOP Leader Says

GOP doesn't want to weather another scandal
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 23, 2008 8:04 AM CST
Renzi Should Step Down, House GOP Leader Says
US Republican Senator from Arizona and a presidential hopeful John McCain speaks during a press conference at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Sunday, April 1, 2007. Behind him is Rick Renzi, the indicted Arizona representative. Of Renzi's scandal, McCain said "I'm sorry. I feel for the...   (Associated Press)

House Minority Leader John Boehner is pressuring Rep. Rick Renzi, indicted yesterday for extortion, money laundering, and fraud in connection with an Arizona land deal, to step down, urging his fellow Republican "to seriously consider whether he can continue to effectively represent his constituents under these circumstances.” Boehner plans to meet with Renzi, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The GOP leader already stripped Renzi of his seats on the Intelligence and Resources Committees, after an FBI raid on Renzi's offices last year. Boehner has cracked down on ethical shadiness in his party since assuming power in 2006. "The charges contained in this indictment are completely unacceptable for a member of Congress," he says. (More GOP stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X