Embattled Rep. Anthony Weiner will announce on Thursday that he will resign from Congress amid a sexting scandal.
The New York Democrat called Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (N.Y.) on Wednesday night while they were at the White House Congressional picnic to inform them he had decided to resign. Weiner is expected to announce his resignation at an afternoon press conference.
Weiner faced growing pressure from party leaders to resign ever since he admitted to having inappropriate communications via social networking sites with at least six women.
Speaker John Boehner said Thursday he had not spoken with Weiner or been notified of his intention to resign. Still, the Ohio Republican called the entire episode "a distraction."
"The American people have been asking where are the jobs," Boehner said at a press conference.
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) later called it "an unfortunate situation."
The New York Times first reported that Weiner was calling friends and telling them he would step down today.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
