Weiner Will Seek Treatment; Leave of Absence From House
Won't make final decision until wife returns
Congressman Anthony Weiner, the scandal plagued lawmaker who admitted to conducting several lewd and inappropriate extramarital conversations with at least six women over 3 years told top Democratic officials he will seek treatment and leave of absence from House.
Weiner didn't specify to Democratic sources what kind of treatment he intends to seek.
This decision comes amid calls for the congressman to seek treatment without the pressure of being in Washington by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Steve Israel.
Congressman Weiner has the love of his family, the confidence of his constituents, and the recognition that he needs help. I urge Congressman Weiner to seek that help without the pressures of being a Member of Congress, Pelosi said making reference to the source's claim.
Both Democrats decided to publicly ask him to resign because they don't want to go into a third week with a story that brings disgrace on the house and not talk about our agenda, according to CNN.
Weiner won't make a final decision about treatment or a leave of absence until his wife, Huma Abedin, returns from a diplomatic trip to Zambia with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic National Committee, called his continued service in Congress following revelations he carried on multiple extra-marital conversations with at least six women online and by phone over three years 'indefensible'.
This sordid affair has become an unacceptable distraction for Representative Weiner, his family, his constituents and the House - and for the good of all, he should step aside and address those things that should be most important - his and his family's well-being.
Weiner's staunch refusal to resign comes amid revelations he exchanged private messages with a 17-year-old Delaware teen on Twitter.
The teen detectives their conversations weren't lewd and no charges were filed.
Weiner acknowledged he did write the teen, I think the record is pretty clear - nothing explicit, nothing indecent, nothing inappropriate.
Weiner wouldn't comment on whether he had asked for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's forgiveness. Huma Abedin, Weiner's wife who is 10 weeks pregnant and is traveling on a diplomatic jaunt with Clinton.
With Weiner's political future in shambles he received key support from fellow Democrat Rep. Charles Rangel Friday.
I know immoral sex when I hear it from other members. And no one has screamed for their resignation. So I don't know why they are selecting Anthony.
Rangel, who survived an Ethics committee investigation last year, said Weiner didn't do anything illegal.
A Marist poll showed a majority of Weiner's constituents' still support him.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.