The left-leaning New York Times editorial board hit House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for giving a much-criticized defense of Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., who’s been accused of sexual harassment.
The paper said Monday night Congress should address a rule that allows members to quietly resolve harassment claims with their staff by paying out settlements from money that’s set aside on Capitol Hill specifically for that reason.
The rule was until recently largely unknown to the public. But, after Buzzfeed reported Conyers settled a sexual harassment claim by a former staffer, it has received new scrutiny.
Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Pelosi was asked if Conyers should resign. She hesitated.
“The fact is as John reviews his case, which he knows, which I don’t, I believe that he will do the right thing,” she said.
“Righting this wrong would seem obvious for Democrats, who led the condemnation of President Trump for his videotaped boasts of sexual assault,” the Times said in response. “So it was not encouraging to hear Ms. Pelosi on Sunday, delivering a weak, he-said she-said defense of Mr. Conyers. … Legislators have a chance to correct their poor handling of a national problem. They should seize it.”
