Cantwell, Murray join Democrats calling for Menendez to resign

Washington's Democratic senators are joining the growing number of lawmakers calling for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) to resign.

Menendez has been charged in a federal corruption scheme. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Now, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray are calling on Menendez to step down.

In a statement Wednesday morning, Cantwell said, "I don’t believe anyone under such a damning indictment can effectively serve, and I urge Senator Menendez to step aside."

And if he won't, Murray said she would encourage the Senate Ethics Committee to open an investigation. As president pro tempore of the Senate, Murray's comments were especially notable. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has so far resisted calls to take a position on the matter, saying only that Menendez "has a right to due process and a fair trial" last week.

Menendez faces charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion.

His wife and three people described as New Jersey associates and businessmen have also been charged.

The indictment alleges that Menendez and his wife accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes. In return, Menendez allegedly used his position as a U.S. senator to help the businessmen by providing sensitive U.S. government information to aid the Egyptian government.

About half of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate has rebuked Menendez, urging him to step down.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, is calling for Menendez's resignation, too.