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House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts have called for Jeff Fortenberry to resign from Congress after being convicted on three felony charges for lying to the FBI about a 2016 foreign campaign contribution.The nine-term Nebraska Republican Congressman was found guilty by a federal jury in Los Angeles on Thursday of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts, along with two counts of making false statements to federal investigators.“He had his day in court. I think if he wants to appeal, he can go do that as a private citizen,” McCarthy, a Republican from California, said Friday. “I think when someone’s convicted, it’s time to resign.”Ricketts said in a statement: “The people of Nebraska’s First Congressional District deserve active, certain representation. I hope Jeff Fortenberry will do the right thing and resign so his constituents have that certainty while he focuses on his family and other affairs.”Pelosi also issued a statement: “Congressman Fortenberry’s conviction represents a breach of the public trust and confidence in his ability to serve. No one is above the law. Congressman Fortenberry must resign from the House.”Fortenberry has served Nebraska’s First Congressional District since 2005.After Fortenberry was indicted in October, he stepped down from his Congressional committee assignments.Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon said Fortenberry has “some tough decisions” to make, but declined to comment further. After the verdict, Fortenberry declined to comment on the future of his reelection campaign. Chad Kolton, Fortenberry’s campaign spokesperson, told the Associated Press on Friday that the Congressman had no immediate response to calls for his resignation. “He’s spending time with his family right now,” Kolton told the AP. “That’s what’s most important today.”His chief Republican rival, Norfolk State Sen. Mike Flood, declined to comment Thursday evening. Ricketts endorsed Flood in the congressional race in January.First Congressional District candidate Patty Pansing Brooks, a Democrat, said this is a sad time for the Fortenbery family.In a news conference this morning, Pansing Brooks called for revised campaign finance laws and said it’s time for new leadership in the First District.”Yesterday’s conviction of Congressman Fortenberry is a wake up call. And I am here ready to answer that call. I will serve with integrity and compassion and fight for each and every Nebraskan,” Pansing Brooks said.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts have called for Jeff Fortenberry to resign from Congress after being convicted on three felony charges for lying to the FBI about a 2016 foreign campaign contribution.
The nine-term Nebraska Republican Congressman was found guilty by a federal jury in Los Angeles on Thursday of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts, along with two counts of making false statements to federal investigators.
“He had his day in court. I think if he wants to appeal, he can go do that as a private citizen,” McCarthy, a Republican from California, said Friday. “I think when someone’s convicted, it’s time to resign.”
Ricketts said in a statement: “The people of Nebraska’s First Congressional District deserve active, certain representation. I hope Jeff Fortenberry will do the right thing and resign so his constituents have that certainty while he focuses on his family and other affairs.”
Pelosi also issued a statement: “Congressman Fortenberry’s conviction represents a breach of the public trust and confidence in his ability to serve. No one is above the law. Congressman Fortenberry must resign from the House.”
Fortenberry has served Nebraska’s First Congressional District since 2005.
After Fortenberry was indicted in October, he stepped down from his Congressional committee assignments.
Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon said Fortenberry has “some tough decisions” to make, but declined to comment further.
After the verdict, Fortenberry declined to comment on the future of his reelection campaign. Chad Kolton, Fortenberry’s campaign spokesperson, told the Associated Press on Friday that the Congressman had no immediate response to calls for his resignation.
“He’s spending time with his family right now,” Kolton told the AP. “That’s what’s most important today.”
His chief Republican rival, Norfolk State Sen. Mike Flood, declined to comment Thursday evening. Ricketts endorsed Flood in the congressional race in January.
First Congressional District candidate Patty Pansing Brooks, a Democrat, said this is a sad time for the Fortenbery family.
In a news conference this morning, Pansing Brooks called for revised campaign finance laws and said it’s time for new leadership in the First District.
“Yesterday’s conviction of Congressman Fortenberry is a wake up call. And I am here ready to answer that call. I will serve with integrity and compassion and fight for each and every Nebraskan,” Pansing Brooks said.