Allies are becoming harder to find for U.S. Rep. Jim Traficant, the embattled nine-term Youngstown-area Democrat convicted last week on racketeering, bribery and fraud charges.

Traficant became a friend of the GOP -- albeit, one kept at arm's length -- when he voted last year to make Republican Dennis Hastert speaker of the House instead of Democrat Dick Gephardt.

Gephardt, the minority leader, was the first in line to call for Traficant's resignation Thursday after he was found guilty of all 10 federal charges he faced.

So where are Republicans?

Somewhere far, far away.

Republican U.S. Rep. Phil English, whose 21st District borders Traficant's, said Monday that Traficant has a right to appeal his conviction but should not vote on the floor of the House during his appeal process.

"He has every right to be given due process under the law. But in my personal opinion, Jim should not be allowed to vote on legislation in Congress," English said.

English has held joint news conferences with Traficant and the two were often on the same side of issues. Their similar voting records have been held up by English in an attempt to demonstrate the Republican's political independence.

"It's not about how Jim has voted in the past or who his friends are. It's about protecting the integrity of the institution," English said Monday.

While not calling for Traficant's resignation, English said, "In the end, hopefully he'll take a look at this situation and make a personal decision to do the right thing."

House rules require that anyone convicted of a felony refrain from voting on legislation. "It is discouraged, but he would be allowed to vote," English said.