House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urged the committee investigating sexual misconduct allegations against Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., to expedite its probe, amping up the pressure on the embattled Michigan Democrat.
In a letter Tuesday to the House Ethics Committee, Pelosi, D-Calif., asked if additional resources to help the staff were needed.
“I know the demands on staff and resources can at times be overstretched,” Pelosi wrote. “Should you need any additional resources to fairly and swiftly pursue these investigations, please make that need known.”
Pelosi’s push comes after the Democratic leader called Conyers an “icon” on “Meet the Press” over the weekend when asked about the sexual harassment allegations against him. Appearing cautious initially, Pelosi has since kept the spotlight on the investigation, releasing a statement on Monday saying she met with one of Conyers’ accusers and believed the former staffer’s account that he was verbally abusive.
“We are at a watershed moment for our country in the fight against sexual harassment and discrimination,” Pelosi wrote to the committee. “The Committee on Ethics has a great responsibility to proceed expeditiously as well as fairly into any investigation of credible harassment and discrimination allegations.”
Conyers stepped down Sunday from his post as ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, but has said he has no plans to resign. So far, two House Democrats have called on him to resign immediately from Congress.
