New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider his motion to dismiss a corruption indictment against him.

The longtime Democratic lawmaker was charged with fraud and bribery last year after prosecutors said he took official action on behalf of a longtime friend who had given him gifts and campaign donations.

In a filing delivered Monday and released Tuesday, lawyers for Menendez claim his meetings with various government officials were legislative acts meant to discuss policy matters and were protected by a section in the Constitution called the "speech or debate" clause.

The filing argues a lower court was mistaken when it allowed the indictment to go forward because it relies on assumptions about Menendez's motives.

A trial is tentatively scheduled for next fall.