Sen. Bob Menendez Robert (Bob) MenendezWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Kasie Hunt to host lead-in show for MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' Senators ask for removal of tariffs on EU food, wine, spirits: report MORE (D-N.J.) is urging Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE to recuse himself from Ukraine-related matters after he acknowledged being on a phone call at the center of the impeachment fight.

Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Pompeo on Wednesday, saying he has a "direct conflict of interest" and should step back from Ukraine-related work.

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“Going forward you must refrain from any direct or indirect participation in or influence over the State Department response to the Ukraine scandal, including congressional requests for documents or to interview State Department personnel. You should also step back from Ukraine policy and foreign assistance decisions,” Menendez wrote in the letter.

The letter comes after Pompeo acknowledged earlier Wednesday that he was on the call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that has fueled the House Democrats' impeachment effort.

“I was on the phone call,” he said at a press conference while in Rome.

Pompeo was previously asked during a recent ABC News interview what he knew about the phone call and reports that Trump pushed Zelensky eight times to work with his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE, to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE and his son, Hunter Biden.

“So, you just gave me a report about a IG [inspector general] whistleblower complaint, none of which I've seen,” he said at the time before pivoting to the administration's policy on Ukraine.

Pomepo has clashed with House committee Chairmen Eliot Engel Eliot Lance EngelHouse panel halts contempt proceedings against Pompeo after documents turned over Engel subpoenas US global media chief Michael Pack The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE (D-N.Y.), Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff to subpoena top DHS official, alleges whistleblower deposition is being stonewalled Schiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power MORE (D-Calif.) and Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE (D-Md.) after he shot down their attempt to depose five current and former State Department officials as part of their impeachment probe.

They also sent a letter on Tuesday night to Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan to reiterate their concern about Pompeo.

"If true, Secretary Pompeo is now a fact witness in the impeachment inquiry. He should not be making any decisions regarding witness testimony or document production in order to protect himself or the president," they said, referring to reports that Pompeo was on the call.

Menendez added in his letter on Wednesday that "recusal is the only option."

"You have a direct conflict of interest given your participation in the now-infamous Trump-Zelensky call, and there are serious questions concerning your role in the leveraging of U.S. security assistance — taxpayer dollars — to advance President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE’s personal and political agenda," he wrote.