June 3, 2010 10:35 AM
- Text
Larry Craig Returns To Washington
(AP)
Sen. Larry Craig returned to Washington on Tuesday for the first time since public disclosure of his guilty plea in a restroom sex sting.
The Idaho Republican voted on two matters in the morning and lunched with his GOP colleagues, but he said there is no change in his previously announced plans to resign at the month's end barring a court reversal of his guilty plea.
"We're working through it. My plans have not changed," Craig said in a brief interview with The Associated Press as he left the Republican senators' weekly luncheon. As for returning to the Capitol, he said, "It always feels good to be back."
Craig spokesman Dan Whiting said earlier that the senator was back in Washington "representing Idaho, working on transition and meeting with his legal team."
Craig arrived in the Senate chamber around noon to vote and receive greetings from fellow senators, including GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Mary Landrieu, D-La., and homestate Republican colleague Mike Crapo.
"I'm well, thank you," Craig said after a hearty handshake from Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.
Other colleagues, such as Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and John McCain, R-Ariz. - both of whom criticized Craig in the aftermath of the scandal - seemed to avoid the disgraced Idahoan, and at times he stood awkwardly alone.
However, Craig later joined his four dozen colleagues at their weekly closed-door luncheon, near the Senate chamber. A Republican who attended the session called Craig's presence there, as it was in open Senate session, "awkward."
Craig was a no-show for the first two weeks when Congress reconvened after an August break.
He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct last month after an undercover officer at the Minneapolis airport alleged that Craig solicited him for sex. Craig has denied that, and his attorneys have asked a judge to let him withdraw the guilty plea.
Craig announced that he intends to resign from the Senate on Sept. 30, but a spokesman has said there is a slight chance he may keep his seat if he can withdraw his plea.
Craig gave up his senior positions on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and the Appropriations veterans subcommittee at the request of Senate Republican leaders.
Craig has contended in recent weeks that he had done nothing wrong and said his only mistake was pleading guilty Aug. 1 to a misdemeanor charge arising from the June 11 airport sting.
A Hennepin County District Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Craig's motion to withdraw his guilty plea on Sept. 26.
The Idaho Republican voted on two matters in the morning and lunched with his GOP colleagues, but he said there is no change in his previously announced plans to resign at the month's end barring a court reversal of his guilty plea.
"We're working through it. My plans have not changed," Craig said in a brief interview with The Associated Press as he left the Republican senators' weekly luncheon. As for returning to the Capitol, he said, "It always feels good to be back."
Craig spokesman Dan Whiting said earlier that the senator was back in Washington "representing Idaho, working on transition and meeting with his legal team."
Craig arrived in the Senate chamber around noon to vote and receive greetings from fellow senators, including GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Mary Landrieu, D-La., and homestate Republican colleague Mike Crapo.
"I'm well, thank you," Craig said after a hearty handshake from Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.
Other colleagues, such as Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and John McCain, R-Ariz. - both of whom criticized Craig in the aftermath of the scandal - seemed to avoid the disgraced Idahoan, and at times he stood awkwardly alone.
However, Craig later joined his four dozen colleagues at their weekly closed-door luncheon, near the Senate chamber. A Republican who attended the session called Craig's presence there, as it was in open Senate session, "awkward."
Craig was a no-show for the first two weeks when Congress reconvened after an August break.
He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct last month after an undercover officer at the Minneapolis airport alleged that Craig solicited him for sex. Craig has denied that, and his attorneys have asked a judge to let him withdraw the guilty plea.
Craig announced that he intends to resign from the Senate on Sept. 30, but a spokesman has said there is a slight chance he may keep his seat if he can withdraw his plea.
Craig gave up his senior positions on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and the Appropriations veterans subcommittee at the request of Senate Republican leaders.
Craig has contended in recent weeks that he had done nothing wrong and said his only mistake was pleading guilty Aug. 1 to a misdemeanor charge arising from the June 11 airport sting.
A Hennepin County District Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Craig's motion to withdraw his guilty plea on Sept. 26.
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