Cruz, Cornyn are critical of Moore

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has called on fellow Republican Roy Moore to either refute multiple reports of sexual misconduct or end his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

Moore on Monday was accused by a fifth woman of making sexual advances toward her when she was a teenager and Moore was in his 30s.

“These allegations are deeply concerning,” Cruz said hours after the newest allegations were reported. “We’ve now seen multiple, serious allegations of criminal conduct.

“One of two things should happen,” Cruz continued. “If these allegations are true, Judge Moore should drop out now, today. The people of Alabama deserve to have the option of voting for a strong conservative who has not committed criminal conduct. Or two, if these allegations are not true, then Judge Moore needs to come forward with strong, persuasive rebuttal demonstrating that they are untrue.”

“Judge Moore, like any American, is entitled to present a defense, he’s entitled to put forth facts demonstrating the charges are not true,” Cruz said. “But as it stands, I can’t urge the people of Alabama to support a campaign in the face of these charges without serious persuasive demonstration that the charges are not true.”

U.S. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, also of Texas, similarly denounced Moore, saying Monday that “the accusations against Roy Moore are disturbing and, if true, disqualifying.”

Both Texas senators offered their support for Moore after he won the Republican primary.