Aaron Shock (Photo : Reuters)
Facing political and public humiliation over his misuse of congressional funds and all other forms of financial discrepancies, Illinois' Republican Representative Aaron Schock announced that he is resigning from Congress anytime soon.
In his letter of resignation, the Congressman said "(The) constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself," the Chicago Sun Times wrote.
John A. Boener, the House Speaker, said in a statement that the Illinois Republican Representative has put his constituents and the House's best interests first with his resignation decision.
"I appreciate Aaron's years of service, and I wish him well in the future," Boehner said.
The Congressional Ethics office has started contacting Schock's associates in accordance to the apparent investigation of the resigned Congressman's business dealings, although the independent panel is to lose its jurisdiction over him once his resignation takes effect in March 31.
Bruce Rauner, the Governor of Illinois, will not be able to appoint a replacement, but instead should commence a special election within the next five days following March 31.
Amidst Republican controversies, Democrats were quick to respond by saying that the explosions just won't stop.
"Fewer than a hundred days, Speaker John Boehner has already experienced Speakership challenge, his caucus defiantly reject him continuously, a few of his closest colleagues are seen retiring rather than watching their reputations dragged down by the dysfunction and gridlock, and now another member of his caucus has resigned amid an ethics scandal," Matt Thornton, the spokesperson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said.
