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Pressure Mounts on Monserrate
October 19th, 2009

The outcry for Sen. Hiram Monserrate to step down is becoming deafening, and the Senate leadership is poised to announce the formation of a committee to review the charges against him.

Liz Benjamin reports that Sen. Eric Schneiderman will probably chair the committee that is looking into reprimanding or possibly ousting Monserrate from the Senate following his conviction on a misdemeanor assault charge. Sen. John Sampson is expected to announce the committee at 3 p.m.

The full Senate would have to vote on whatever recommendations that bi-partisan committee makes.

A number of Senators who have already called for Monserrate to resign will not serve on the committee, and it is unlikely those who have voiced support for him will either.

On the Monserrate-must-go side are Sens. Liz Krueger, Neil Breslin, David Valesky, Darrel Aubertine, Brian Foley and Suzi Oppenheimer. Those supporting him include Sens. Pedro Espada, Eric Adams and Ruben Diaz. Diaz issued a statement last week attacking his colleagues for calling on Monserrate to resign.

This drama certainly does not help the Senate get things done. Senate Democrats are again breaking down along racial lines. Breslin said that while he was concerned with factionalism he thought it was best to speak out. “Everyone worries about that,” said Breslin, “but you can’t not speak out when it’s right.”

Monserrate won’t be sentenced until December. His lawyers say they plan to appeal, but he will have a tough slog surviving the torrent of mounting political pressure.

It’s not just his colleagues who are calling for his resignation; Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Congressman Joseph Crowley and New York Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs have already said Monserrate should resign, and today Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand added their names to the list.

“Domestic violence has no place in our society, and certainly has no place in the state Legislature,” said Gillibrand in a statement. “A court of law has found Sen. Monserrate guilty of domestic violence, and I believe he should resign immediately. If he does not resign, then the Senate should move to expel him. We must take a hard line against violence toward women in our society.”

By David King on October 19, 2009, 5:04 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »

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One Response to “Pressure Mounts on Monserrate”

  1. Sabina Says:
    January 17th, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    I conceive you have mentioned some very interesting points , thankyou for the post.

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