While an increasing number of high profile Democrats have suggested — or outright demanded — that embattled Rep. Anthony Weiner resign, Senate Democrats largely have ducked the issue.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, the third-ranking Senate Democrat, who formerly held Mr. Weiner’s New York City House district, on Tuesday again declined to say if he believes Mr. Weiner should step down.
“Look, as I said this weekend, those of us who have been friends of Anthony Weiner for a very long time view his wrongful behavior as distressing, saddening, as heartbreaking,” Mr. Schumer told reporters at the Capitol. “It’s clear he needs professional help, that’s what he’s sought and that’s all I’m going to say.”
House Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, also refused to weigh in on the issue when asked Tuesday.
House Democrats, however, have been much less shy about pressing Mr. Weiner to quit, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, who serves as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
House Minority Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, has called on the House Ethics Committee to investigate Mr. Weiner’s sexually charged online relationships with several women. And President Obama has said that, if he were the New York lawmaker, he would resign.
The House on Monday granted Mr. Weiner’s request for a two-week leave of absence so he could seek “professional help.”
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