Ellison Dodges on Conyers, Franken Resigning: ‘I’m Going to Ask Them Both to Examine Their Conscience’

Ellison Dodges on Whether Conyers, Franken Should Resign: ‘I’m Going to Ask Them Both to Examine Their Conscience’ (The Washington Free Beacon)

Rep. Keith Ellison (D., Minn.) would not say Monday whether he believes that fellow Democratic lawmakers Rep. John Conyers (Mich.) and Sen. Al Franken (Minn.) should resign over sexual misconduct allegations, instead calling on both men to "examine their conscience."

"Democracy Now!" host Amy Goodman asked Ellison, deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, whether Conyers and Franken should resign after several woman came forward in recent weeks to accuse both lawmakers of sexual harassment.

"Well, you know, Amy, you know, here's the thing. I would ask every member of Congress, including those, to look inside their conscience and ask themselves just a few questions," Ellison responded. "Can you be effective? If you stood up your whole life to stand up for the rights of people—and both of them have—is it not a moment now where you apply some standards to yourself that you have asked others to live by? These are the questions. Can you be effective? Can you be there for your constituents at this point? These are questions that we all have to answer."