Sen. Todd Young joins Republicans calling for Roy Moore to end Senate campaign

WASHINGTON — Indiana Sen. Todd Young joined other Republicans on Monday — including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. — in urging Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore to drop out of the race.

Young made the statement after a fifth woman accused Moore of making sexual or romantic advances toward her when she was a teenager.

"After giving Roy Moore ample time to unequivocally deny the disturbing allegations against him, those allegations remain far more persuasive than the denials," Young said in a statement Monday. "Roy Moore should immediately drop out of the race. The appearance of grossly reprehensible behavior disqualifies him from service in the United States Senate."

If Moore does not step aside, Young added, "we need to protect the integrity of the Senate."

Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, who heads the campaign arm of Senate Republicans, was more specific Monday in saying the Senate should vote to expel Moore if he wins the special election in December.

The last person to be expelled from the Senate was Sen. Jesse Bright of Indiana in 1862. Bright was among the 14 men who were expelled from the Senate in 1861 and 1862 because of their support for the Confederates, according to the Senate.

More recently, some senators have resigned after facing the possibility of expulsion.

The last person to resign before he could be expelled was Robert Packwood of Oregon in 1995, over allegations that he had sexually harassed, abused and assaulted women.

McConnell told reporters Monday he's looking at other Republican options for the seat, including incumbent Luther Strange, who lost a primary to Moore earlier this year. The December election is to replace ex-Sen. Jeff Sessions, a Republican who stepped down to become President Trump's attorney general.

Moore has faced a barrage of criticism since a Washington Post story last week alleging he engaged in romantic relationships with teenagers when he was in his 30s, including one case of sexual contact.

Moore, a former state Supreme Court justice, has vehemently denied those allegations and has said he will not leave the race. He has even threatened to sue the Washington Post over the story.

Republicans, including President Trump and Vice President Pence, said last week that Moore should not be a candidate if the allegations are true.

McConnell went further than that Monday in saying he believes the women's accusations, and he urged Moore to step aside.

Pence's spokeswoman did not respond to a request for a comment Monday on McConnell's new position.

Moore hit back on McConnell in a tweet Monday.

“The person who should step aside is @SenateMajLdr Mitch McConnell,’’ he tweeted. “He has failed conservatives and must be replaced.’’

More: For Roy Moore, even victory in Alabama Senate race may not be the end of his struggles

More: Woman says Roy Moore attacked her in a car when she was 16

More: Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly helps fundraise for opponent of embattled Alabama judge Roy Moore

Contributing: USA TODAY's Jessica Estepa and Deborah Barfield Berry; Courier Journal.

Contact Maureen Groppe at mgroppe@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @mgroppe.