Calls for Congressman John Conyers to resign as his sexual misconduct scandal builds has not deterred fellow Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee from standing by his side.
A investigation by the House Ethics Committee, a taxpayer-funded settlement for sexual harassment claims, and a loss in confidence by House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi are not enough to convince Ms. Jackson Lee that her colleague from Michigan should resign.
Her position was stated during a pointed line of questioning from MSNBC’s Craig Melvin on Thursday.
“Should John Conyers go ahead and step aside? […] Should he stay or should he go?” Mr. Melvin asked after the congresswoman talked about her support for a “no tolerance” policy.
Ms. Jackson Lee dodged the question by saying the decision should be left to Mr. Conyers.
“The rights of women will be enhanced and protected by us fighting to change these [sexual harassment] laws and to change the system,” she said, the Washington Free Beacon reported. “I’ve only known him to be a patriot, and that’s what I would expect.”
The lawmaker answered in the affirmative when asked if she believed Mr. Conyers’ accusers.
“Are you concerned at all about your party no longer being able to profess to be the party of women if it doesn’t force a congressman like [John] Conyers out?” Mr. Melvin asked.
“Absolutely not because the story is not yet concluded,” the lawmaker responded before talking about accusations against Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore and President Trump.
Mr. Conyers, 88, was hospitalized on Thursday with “stress-related” issues linked to the scandal, such as a “Today” show interview with former staffer and accuser Marion Brown.
Ms. Pelosi along with House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland have both called for Mr. Conyers to resign.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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