Pelosi Calls on Conyers to Resign, Suggests Trump Partly Responsible

‘Congressman Conyers should resign’

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Before calling on Rep. John Conyers to resign from office over serial accusations of sexual misconduct in office, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) laid blame on President Trump.

The House minority leader came under intense criticism after defending Conyers Sunday, calling him an “icon” and suggesting there were not credible reports of misconduct.

After the backlash, Pelosi began backtracking, suggesting on Tuesday, saying she spoke to one of his accusers, found her report credible, and suggested action would be taken. 

On Thursday, she called on him to resign, after reporters repeatedly asked why she had been avoiding doing so.

But before making that call, she blamed Trump for the apparent rise of sexual harassment in Congress. 

"We will all work together to lead the fight against sexual harassment and abuse, not only in Congress, but in every workplace across the country, everywhere in our country," Pelosi said. "As far as Capitol Hill is concerned, we want to be sure that everyone who works here, who might be a victim of this, whether it’s staff to staff, member to staff, member to member, understands it’s all over. There’s a new day. And the courage of the women coming forward is something that is making a big difference. But also the attitude in the country, which I think some of it springs from the election of Donald Trump as president.”

Here's a transcript of her remarks:

REPORTER: “Thank you. A fourth woman has come out accusing Conyers, and more in your caucus are calling on Conyers to resign. How come you haven’t called on him to resign?” 
PELOSI: “The allegations against Congressman Conyers, as we have learned more since Sunday, are serious, disappointing, and very credible. It’s very sad. The brave women who came forward are owed justice. I pray for Congressman Conyers and his family and wish them well. However, Congressman Conyers should resign. As Dean, congressman Conyers has served our Congress for more than five decades and shaped some of the most consequential legislation of the last half century. However, zero tolerance means consequences. For everyone, no matter how great the legacy. It’s no license to harass or discriminate. In fact, it makes it even more disappointing. Yesterday, the House took a first step mandating sexual harassment and discrimination training. That resolution on the floor. Next step, and very important for us to Congress to pass, that’s a resolution in the House to mandate nondiscrimination and nonsexual harassment training. The Senate had their own resolution which they have passed. However, the next step is a bill that must pass the House and the Senate and that’s ME TOO Congress Act to create greater transparency and accountability in the broken reporting and settlement system. That is being discussed now. Maybe some additions will be made. Again, we will all work together to lead the fight against sexual harassment and abuse, not only in Congress, but in every workplace across the country, everywhere in our country. As far as Capitol Hill is concerned, we want to be sure that everyone who works here, who might be a victim of this, whether it’s staff to staff, member to staff, member to member, understands it’s all over. There’s a new day. And the courage of the women coming forward is something that is making a big difference. But also the attitude in the country, which I think some of it springs from the election of Donald Trump as president.”
REPORTER: “Just to clarify, you did just call for Conyers to resign?“
PELOSI: “I said he should resign.” 
REPORTER: “Have you related that to him?”
PEL:OSI: “I’m saying it to you right now.”

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