Sen. Bob Menendez’s sought-after seat on the Finance Committee could — eventually — open up as a result of the federal bribery charges he’s facing and growing calls for his resignation.
While the New Jersey Democrat has said he expects to be exonerated and remain his state’s senior senator, mounting pressure could lead to an opening on the tax-writing Finance panel.
It’s unlikely — though possible — that Senate Democrats would take the rare step of stripping Menendez of his committee assignments. But if he chooses to resign, they’d need to fill the slot to avoid a deadlock with Republicans on Finance that could gum up nominations and legislation.
