Lawmakers Breathe a Sigh as Rep. Weiner Resigns

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Several lawmakers in the Washington, D.C. region say it’s a good thing embattled Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner has now resigned from Congress.

At an extended series of votes in the House today most reporters were clamoring for quotes on the Democratic side of the Speaker’s Lobby – a tell tale sign that the national spotlight was on their caucus and not the majority Republican Party. The mood of lawmakers who had worked with Wiener was somber, even though he had lost the support of his caucus before today.

“I called upon him to resign sometime ago, because [of] what I thought were repeated violations of the public trust and so I think his decision is right for the country and right for his family,” said Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen, who is the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee.

Maryland Democrat Dutch Ruppersberger said Wiener made a wise decision to step down after it was publicized that he sent illicit photos of himself to young women.

“I think the most important thing is that we focus on the relevant issues – the debt issue. I happen to be ranking on Intelligence; I’m focused on the issue of national security,” Ruppersberger said at the U.S. Capitol.

In a press conference in New York, Wiener told reporters he had hoped to stay on, but after some time he realized he became too big of a distraction.

This story first aired on WAMU 88.5 News.

 

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