US Congressman Seeks Help Amid Calls for Resigination

Posted June 11th, 2011 at 4:55 pm (UTC-5)
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U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner says he will enter a treatment center after House Democratic leaders called on him to resign in the aftermath of an online sex scandal.

An aide for the New York lawmaker said Saturday Weiner said he would request a leave of absence from the House and seek treatment, but provided no further details.

Earlier Saturday, House Democratic leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, said Weiner “needs help” and he should get some “without the pressures of being a member of Congress.”

National party chairman, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Weiner's behavior is “indefensible.” The Florida congresswoman said “this sordid affair has become an unacceptable distraction” for everyone.

Earlier this week, Weiner admitted he sent a lewd photograph to a female college student using his Twitter account. He also said he had “inappropriate” conversations on the Internet and telephone with six women before and after his marriage.

He has said he will not resign.

The New York Times reported that Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, is pregnant with the couple's first child. The two were married about a year ago.

Abedin is a longtime aide to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Weiner apologized Monday for lying when he claimed to have been the victim of computer hackers regarding the lewd photo. The congressman insisted he had not broken the law.