NEW YORK—New York Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) told friends, who leaked the news to the press, that he plans to resign. The New York Times broke the news Thursday morning.
A press conference in the New York area to make that announcement is expected later today.
Pressure on the congressman to resign has been mounting for two weeks, after he accidentally sent a lewd photo of himself in his underwear to thousands of twitter followers. Subsequent investigations revealed a pattern of similar behavior.
After denying that he sent the photo, then denying knowledge of whether it was him in the photo, Weiner took responsibility and admitted his behavior in a press conference last week, but said that he wanted to continue his public office duties.
Weiner garnered little support from colleagues for his decision to remain. Some said publicly that he was a distraction to the important tasks at hand, like the budget. Others suggested that he seek professional help. Mr. Weiner finally requested a leave of absence, which was granted by his party.
An investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which began its inquiry earlier this week, will likely come to an end if Mr. Weiner resigns, since the committee only has jurisdiction over lawmakers in office.
Weiner came to the conclusion that he could no longer serve after discussions with his wife, Huma Abedin, who returned home early Wednesday morning from an overseas trip with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Abedin is one of Secretary Clinton’s top aides.
Over the weekend, pressure on Weiner intensified when House Democrat Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz called for Weiner’s resignation.
Pelosi was planning to convene a meeting today which promised to result in the stripping of Mr. Weiner’s committee assignments.
President Barack Obama told NBC on Monday, “I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign.”
Weiner’s resignation will trigger a special election in his district, which covers Brooklyn and Queens. Governor Andrew Cuomo has the power to call for the election.
A press conference in the New York area to make that announcement is expected later today.
Pressure on the congressman to resign has been mounting for two weeks, after he accidentally sent a lewd photo of himself in his underwear to thousands of twitter followers. Subsequent investigations revealed a pattern of similar behavior.
After denying that he sent the photo, then denying knowledge of whether it was him in the photo, Weiner took responsibility and admitted his behavior in a press conference last week, but said that he wanted to continue his public office duties.
Weiner garnered little support from colleagues for his decision to remain. Some said publicly that he was a distraction to the important tasks at hand, like the budget. Others suggested that he seek professional help. Mr. Weiner finally requested a leave of absence, which was granted by his party.
An investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which began its inquiry earlier this week, will likely come to an end if Mr. Weiner resigns, since the committee only has jurisdiction over lawmakers in office.
Weiner came to the conclusion that he could no longer serve after discussions with his wife, Huma Abedin, who returned home early Wednesday morning from an overseas trip with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Abedin is one of Secretary Clinton’s top aides.
Over the weekend, pressure on Weiner intensified when House Democrat Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and chair of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz called for Weiner’s resignation.
Pelosi was planning to convene a meeting today which promised to result in the stripping of Mr. Weiner’s committee assignments.
President Barack Obama told NBC on Monday, “I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign.”
Weiner’s resignation will trigger a special election in his district, which covers Brooklyn and Queens. Governor Andrew Cuomo has the power to call for the election.
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