Boehner Urges Renzi To "seriously Consider" Stepping Down

House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) is urging Rep. Rick Renzi to "seriously consider" stepping down from Congress after the Justice Department indicted the Arizona Republican on charges of public corruption.

"The charges contained in this indictment are completely unacceptable for a member of Congress," Boehner said in a statement released by his office Friday, "and I strongly urge Rep. Renzi to seriously consider whether he can continue to effectively represent his constituents under these circumstances."

In the spring of 2007, Boehner forced Renzi to immediately give up his seats on the Intelligence and Resources committees after the FBI raided a family business in connection with the indictments issued Friday.

"I expect to meet with Rep. Renzi at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss this situation and the best option for his constituents, our Conference and the American people," Boehner said.

After taking the reins of his party in early 2006, Boehner pledged to act quickly when his members were embroiled in ethical scandals. An early departure by Renzi might force Republicans to spend money defending yet another GOP seat in a special election, but that might be a price they're willing to pay to wash their hands of an indicted colleague.

GOP members and aides chafed in the fall of 2006 when Ohio Rep. Bob Ney refused to resign immediately after pleading guilty to corruption charges stemming from a federal investigation of jailed former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Instead, he stepped down days before his sentencing — and a midterm election that proved devastating for his party.

Similarly, Democratic Rep. William Jefferson of Louisiana remains in Congress despite a legal battle with the Justice Department over his own indictment on corruption charges last fall.