Renzi Should Step Down, House GOP Leader Says

GOP doesn't want to weather another scandal

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 23, 2008 8:04 AM CST

(Newser) – House Minority Leader John Boehner is pressuring Rep. Rick Renzi, indicted yesterday for extortion, money laundering, and fraud in connection with an Arizona land deal, to step down, urging his fellow Republican "to seriously consider whether he can continue to effectively represent his constituents under these circumstances.” Boehner plans to meet with Renzi, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The GOP leader already stripped Renzi of his seats on the Intelligence and Resources Committees, after an FBI raid on Renzi's offices last year. Boehner has cracked down on ethical shadiness in his party since assuming power in 2006. "The charges contained in this indictment are completely unacceptable for a member of Congress," he says.

US Republican Senator from Arizona and a presidential hopeful John McCain speaks during a press conference at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Sunday, April 1, 2007. Behind him is Rick Renzi,... (Associated Press)

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, left, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, speak to reporters outside the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, after meeting... (Associated Press)

US Republican Representative from Arizona Rick Renzi, gestures as he speaks during a press conference at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Sunday, April 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Sabah Arar, Pool) (Associated Press)

Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz. waits to speak at a Republican fundraiser in Scottsdale, Ariz., in this Oct. 4, 2006 file photo. Renzi has been indicted for extortion, wire fraud, money laundering and other... (Associated Press)

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Renzi Should Step Down, House GOP Leader Says

GOP doesn't want to weather another scandal

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Arizona Rep. Renzi Indicted Over Land Deal

Charged with 35 counts of conspiracy, extortion, money laundering

No Vote Tonight: Boehner Falls Short on Count

House speaker can't push through debt plan

Boehner Postpones House Vote

He's still trying to round up enough votes

Congress Buys GOP's Foam Cups From Ex-Koch Exec

But the cafeteria managers, not GOP, chose his company

Going Green? Bah! GOP Brings Back Foam Cups

Republicans reverse Democrats' green initiatives in Congress cafeterias

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Renzi Should Step Down, House GOP Leader Says

GOP doesn't want to weather another scandal

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

The Story So Far

Congress • FBI • Arizona • GOP • House of Representatives • extortion • money laundering • John Boehner • wire fraud • federal indictment • Rick Renzi • political scandal

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Arizona Rep. Renzi Indicted Over Land Deal

Charged with 35 counts of conspiracy, extortion, money laundering

No Vote Tonight: Boehner Falls Short on Count

House speaker can't push through debt plan

Boehner Postpones House Vote

He's still trying to round up enough votes

Congress Buys GOP's Foam Cups From Ex-Koch Exec

But the cafeteria managers, not GOP, chose his company

Going Green? Bah! GOP Brings Back Foam Cups

Republicans reverse Democrats' green initiatives in Congress cafeterias

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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