Senior U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) went on the record stating he does not see why the embattled U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) would need to step down as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Via Roll Call -

Asked if Menendez’s post was in jeopardy, Lautenberg said, “Not as is I see it. Bob Menendez is a good senator and decisions will be made in the review as to whether there is veracity or not.”

Menendez, alongside a friend, and top campaign donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, face a federal investigation after authorities learned of their trips to the Dominican Republic that allegedly included activities with underage prostitutes.

The article pushed Lautenberg on the Chairmanship -

Asked if Menendez should step down temporarily while any potential ethics investigation is going on, Lautenberg said, “It’s not for me to conduct Bob Menendez’s decisions. He’s been a good senator, we’ve worked on a lot of things together; we’ll have to let the forces of review do whatever” they decide.

Lautenberg, who is up for reelection in 2014, could face Newark Mayor, Cory Booker, as a primary opponent, and if he were to win in the primary, he may face Geraldo Rivera in the general.