Alaska Democrats Call On Stevens To Step Down And Retire From SenateAccording To Senate Republican Rules, Stevens Will Lose Committee Seniority
Anchorage, Alaska – Today, U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) was indicted on seven felony charges of giving false statements. The Alaska Democratic Party (ADP) called on Stevens to step down from his Senate seat, retire, and focus on his legal issues.
Due to Senate Republican rules, Stevens was forced to resign his seniority on committees, including ranking member status in the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, because of the indictment. The rules state, “In the event of an indictment for a felony, the chair/ranking member or elected member of the leadership shall step down until the case is resolved. Upon conviction, the chair/ranking member would automatically be replaced.” [Rules of the Senate Republican Conference]
“It is another sad day for Alaska,” said Patti Higgins, Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. “Senator Stevens’ indictment shows just how much Alaska has been hurt by corruption. Senator Stevens violated the public’s trust. Senator Stevens should step down from his post in Washington. It’s time for him to retire. Alaskans need representation in the Senate that they can trust.” # # # |
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