Top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi says Michigan Rep. John Conyers, facing sexual misconduct allegations, should resign
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi both called on embattled U. S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, to resign in the face of sexual harassment accusations.
Ryan, R-Wis., and Pelosi, D-Calif., made the remarks at weekly news briefings with reporters on Thursday morning. Conyers, 88, returned to Detroit on Tuesday night as reports swirled that he was being asked to resign from an office he has held since 1965 in light of accusations against him by at least four women.
Shortly after the remarks, Conyers’ lawyer, Arnold Reed, said he would hold a news conference at noon outside the congressman’s home.
Conyers was hospitalized overnight in the Detroit area and it is not known what his condition is. But his lawyer, Arnold Reed, told the Free Press on Wednesday that he had no intention of resigning «at this juncture.»
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He has steadfastly denied any accusations that he sexually harassed women members of his staff despite paying more than $27,000 in a settlement to one, Marion Brown, who broke a confidentiality agreement Thursday morning by speaking on NBC’s «Today.»
Pelosi, a longtime ally of Conyers, had earlier declined to call for his resignation but did so Thursday, calling the allegations against him, «serious, disappointing and very credible.»
«It’s very sad,» she said. «The brave women who came forward are owed justice. I pray for Congressman Conyers and his family and wish them well. However, Congressman Conyers should resign.»
«(He) has served our Congress for more than five decades and shaped some of the most consequential legislation of the last half century,» she continued. «However, zero tolerance means consequences for everyone, no matter how great the legacy.»Conyers is the longest serving member of the House. He has faced increasing calls from House Democrats for him to step down as several former aides have come forward to accuse him of inappropriate sexual behavior.
At his briefing, Ryan said he heard Brown’s comments on «Today» and said, «No one should have to go through something like that, let alone here in Congress.»
«Yes, I think he should resign. He should resign immediately. I’ve just been briefed on the torrent of allegations, and I think he should,» the speaker said.
Contact Todd Spangler at 703-854-8947 or at tspangler@freepress.com. USA Today staff writers Nicole Gaudiano and Bart Jansen contributed to this report.
