Sen. Cory Gardner (R., Colo.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Monday that the Senate should vote to expel GOP candidate Roy Moore of Alabama if he is elected to the chamber after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.
"I believe the individuals speaking out against Roy Moore spoke with courage and truth, proving he is unfit to serve in the United States Senate and he should not run for office," Gardner said in a statement. "If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate."
The Washington Post reported last week that, in 1979, Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32 years old. Three other women told the Post that Moore propositioned them when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s.
On Monday, Beverly Young Nelson alleged that Moore tried to force her to perform oral sex on him when she was 16. She said in a statement that Moore offered a ride home from her waitressing job at a restaurant he frequented, and that he then pulled the car over and violently tried to force her head onto his crotch.
Moore defeated Alabama Sen. Luther Strange (R.) in a runoff to win the Republican nomination for the Senate seat in September. Strange had been appointed to the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, who resigned when he was confirmed as attorney general in the Trump administration.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Monday that he believes the women who have come forward about Moore and that he "should step aside" from the race. Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch (Utah) and Susan Collins (Maine) have also said that Moore should leave the election.
Moore has denied the allegations and threatened a lawsuit against the Washington Post. Moore's name cannot be legally taken off the ballot according to Alabama state law, since the election—scheduled for Dec. 12—is less than 76 days away.