A lawyer for Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) said the congressman will make a decision in the next several days about his future in Congress, after he has time to assess his health with doctors.
Conyers’ attorney Arnold Reed told reporters gathered for a news conference in Michigan Friday afternoon that the congressman’s health would be “paramount” to that decision and said the choice would be Conyers’, “not Washington’s.”
Reed also reiterated that Conyers continues to flatly deny all of the allegations of sexual misconduct that have been made against him.
Earlier this week, Reed said Conyers had no plans to leave Congress, despite calls to resign from some members of the Congressional Black Caucus and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
When pressed on why Conyers is reviewing his role in Congress if he denies all the allegations, Reed said any decision would be related to Conyers’ health and said it “wouldn’t surprise me if this is the the reason he has stress-related” health problems.
Conyers was hospitalized on Thursday for stress-related health issues, according to a family spokesperson.
Conyers’ evaluation of his health comes amid mounting allegations that he made inappropriate sexual advances toward former staffers. Three women have come forward in recent weeks alleging Conyers asked them for sexual favors or touched them inappropriately while they worked for him.
Last week, he stepped down from his post as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.
He ought to not stand for re-election. He’s
had an honorable career for over 50 years that had a positive impact on his district and US life.
Bowing out at 88 years old is the decent thing to do.
I’m sure there are plenty of qualified candidates in the district who can do the job. Maybe one of the staffers he is alleged to harass should run.
Conyers will likely not run for re-election. Resigning is not an option as MI has GOP governor who would designate who to seat. That’s not going to happen.
Yes, not standing for reelection means not resigning now.
House members must be elected. Most states appoint empty Senate seats.
People may disagree with me on this, but I don’t think he should resign. I think that the Republicans can go first on this. Why is it that the Democrats always take the high road and are s
held to a higher standard? It’s about time we play ed by the same rule book as the Republicans. They need to step up and take it on the chin FIRST. There sits a sexual predator in the WH and one in Alabama who is a abuse young teens. They can go first. Why should we be have less seats in Congress, when that is clearly their motivation.
They claim a higher moral compass that the Democrats, well then prove. If we’re onlyh good as our word then PROVE it. I’m tired to taking the high road when clearly it lead to falling off a cliff,.
To Nancy, sit down and do not say another word. This is a new ball game and until the Republicans do as they say OR claim. We’ll play by their rules. Do as they say NOT as they do…NOT going to happen ANYMORE.