National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Cory Gardner, R-Colo., called for Judge Roy Moore to be expelled from the Senate if he is elected next month in the wake of multiple reports of sexual assault.
“I believe the individuals speaking out against Roy Moore spoke with courage and truth, proving he is unfit to serve in the United States Senate and he should not run for office,” Gardner said in a statement. “If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate.”
Several women have come forward to say Moore made sexual advances toward them, or tried to date them, when they were teenagers.
According to Senate rules, it would take two-thirds of all senators to remove him from his seat. The last sitting senator to be removed from office was Jesse Bright in 1862 for supporting a Confederate rebellion. 15 have been removed in the entire history of the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declined to say if he supports Gardner’s suggestion.
“I’ve said this morning all I’m going to say about this, and others are speaking for themselves, and you all are reporting it,” he said while leaving the Senate chamber.
Monday morning, McConnell said that he believed Moore’s accusers, and called for Moore to step aside from his bid for the Senate. Moore shot back immediately by saying McConnell should step down.
“The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced. #DrainTheSwamp,” Moore tweeted.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., declined to comment to reporters at the Capitol on the possibility of Moore potentially being expelled from the upper chamber if elected.
