![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/bob-menendez-steps-down-as-us-senate-foreign-relations-chairman-after-indictment/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/131234255_gettyimages-1397610490.jpg&description=Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Prosecutors allege Bob and Nadine Menendez accepted bribes to secretly aid the Egyptian government A veteran US senator has temporarily stepped down as head of the chamber's powerful foreign relations committee as he battles bribery charges. Justice department prosecutors allege Robert Menendez and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars worth in bribes to aid Egypt's government. The couple have denied the charges. But the New Jersey Democrat is now facing calls to resign, including from New Jersey's Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said on Friday that Mr Menendez had decided to step down as chairman of the influential committee "until the matter has been resolved". The New York Democrat said his embattled colleague was "a dedicated public servant and is always fighting hard for the people of New Jersey". It is not the first time Mr Menendez, 69, who has served in Congress since 2006, has had to step down from the coveted post on the foreign relations committee. He also stepped down in 2015 after being indicted in New Jersey on charges that he accepted bribes from a Florida eye doctor. That case ended in a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who took over as the committee's leading Democrat at the time, is expected to again temporarily ascend to fill the vacancy. Mr Menendez and his spouse, Nadine Arslanian, are accused of accepting bribes of cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage and a luxury vehicle from three New Jersey businessmen. Media caption, Watch: Prosecutor shows evidence against Senator Menendez Prosecutors allege the pair accepted the money to secretly aid the Egyptian government and to enrich the three men: Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes. According to the 39-page indictment unsealed on Friday, Mr Menendez's leadership position and power as a senator enabled such influence-peddling. The pair each){kind=link}
A veteran US senator has temporarily stepped down as head of the chamber’s powerful foreign relations committee as he battles bribery charges.
Justice department prosecutors allege Robert Menendez and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for aid to Egypt’s government.
The couple have denied the charges.
The embattled senator has rejected calls from fellow Democrats back in his home state of New Jersey to resign his seat.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said on Friday that Mr Menendez had decided to step down as chairman of the influential committee “until the matter has been resolved”.