U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) became the first Democratic representative to call on Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) to resign over inappropriate internet relationships.
“Having the respect of your constituents is fundamental for a member of Congress,” she said in a statement. “In light of Anthony Weiner’s offensive behavior online, he should resign.”
Schwartz is a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee leadership.
Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, also spoke with Weiner by phone, expressing frustration that Weiner’s political standing was deteriorating as the scandal widened, the New York Times reported.
On Monday, Weiner admitted to having inappropriate Internet relationships and lying about a lewd photo posted to his Twitter account. During the news conference, Weiner pledged he would not resign. After his admission, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) requested an investigation by the Ethics Panel into whether Weiner violated chamber rules.
Schwartz’s resignation call was followed by several other Democratic lawmakers and leaders including Mike Ross of Arkansas, Michael H. Michaud of Maine, Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts, Larry Kissell of North Carolina and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, as well as Tim Kaine, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who is running for the Senate from Virginia.
It was reported Wednesday that Weiner’s wife of nearly one year, Huma Abedin, a longtime aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, is pregnant. Weiner apologized to his wife and has said they will not separate.
