NJ Rep Andrews to resign, join law firm

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, D-N.J., who has been the subject of a House ethics investigation, said Tuesday he is resigning from Congress and joining a law firm. Andrews, 56, came to Congress in 1990, the winner of a special election to succeed, James Florio, who resigned from Congress after being elected New Jersey governor. The ethics committee has been investigating allegations Andrews misused campaign funds, the New York Times reported. In a statement, U.S. President Barack Obama said Andrews "has served the people of southern New Jersey with tenacity and skill." "He helped put into place key workplace protections for hardworking Americans, pushed to improve education for American students, and fought for clean energy programs to foster America's energy independence," Obama said. "More recently, Rob was an original author of the Affordable Care Act and has been a vital partner in its passage and implementation." Andrews will likely be replaced by New Jersey state Sen. Donald Norcross, a brother of Democratic Party fundraiser George Norcross, the Times said.