WASHINGTON — The path is clear for Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin to become the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee as the incumbent battles federal corruption charges.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., announced on Wednesday he would temporarily give up the panel's ranking member position after the US Justice Department hit him with a 14-count criminal corruption charge. Menendez denies any illegal conduct.

His relinquishing the position leaves Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in search of a senator to temporarily — at least — relieve Menendez.

The heir apparent is Cardin, Senate sources say.

A Senate aide told CongressWatch that "Cardin would be next in line to be ranking on Foreign Relations." Another source indicated the same.

In a statement released later Thursday, Cardin revealed Reid has asked him to take over for Menendez as ranking member.

"As ranking member, I look forward to becoming even more engaged in our unified national effort to ensure Iran is not allowed to have nuclear weapons," Cardin said.

"I also expect to fully participate in shaping an open and fair debate over the use of force against [the Islamic State] and how we deal with the growing instability that has opened the door for extremist activity in Yemen, Tunisia, and elsewhere," he said. "I plan to continue actively pressing for greater consequences for Russia as a result of its aggression against Ukraine and blatant disregard for its international commitments, human rights and the rule of law."

The arrangement, for now, is temporary.

In a Wednseday letter to Reid, Menendez wrote: "I want to reaffirm our understanding that I will once again ascend to the ranking member position ... upon the successful resolution of the allegations before me."

Cardin already is the ranking member of the panel's East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy subcommittee. He also is the top Democrat on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

Cardin takes the the top Democratic spot on the committee at a time the panel is working on several high-profile bills.

One is a measure that would require congressional authorization of any deal the Obama White House and five world powers strike with Iran over its nuclear program; the other is to legally authorize the Islamic State conflict.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., sits beside the ranking member on the full committee dias. Cardin is next.

When then-Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., left the Senate in February 2013 to become secretary of state, Boxer's seniority gave her the chance to become chairwoman. But she declined, opting to remain the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee.

"No, she won't be the next ranking member on the Foreign Relations Committee," the Senate aide said Thursday of the retiring Boxer.

In a separate statement issued Wednesday night, Cardin praised Menendez.

"Sen. Bob Menendez has made significant contributions to America's global leadership and national security as chairman and, most recently, as ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee," Cardin said. "As the legal process moves forward, I encourage everyone to allow Sen. Menendez all of the rights to which he is entitled, including a presumption of innocence and the ability to aggressively respond to the charges that have been brought forward."

Cardin also issued a call for Republicans and Democrats on the committee to work together.

"As a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I believe that America is always stronger when we speak with one voice on foreign policy issues," Cardin said. "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has an important role in defining that unified voice for America."

Like Menendez, Cardin at times has broken with the Obama White House on foreign policy and national security matters.

(Editor's Note: This article was updated at 3:28 p.m.)

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