Nancy Pelosi, Paul Ryan call on John Conyers to resign amid sex allegations

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Paul Ryan and the top Democrat in the House are calling on a Michigan congressman to resign as the sexual harassment scandal widens in Congress.

Paul Ryan and Nancy Pelosi agree on little. But Thursday, November 30th, they had the same message for Congressman John Conyers, a Democrat from Michigan: get out.

"No one should have to go through something like that on that here in Congress, so yes, I think he should resign. And he should resign immediately," said Ryan.

Conyers faces multiple sexual harassment allegations, and admitted to settling one case involving a staffer. Pelosi said allegations against Conyers were "very credible."

"Congressman Conyers should resign," said Pelosi.

The 88-year-old congressman was in a Detroit hospital Thursday. His lawyer blamed the media for stress-related health problems and said Conyers had not thought of resigning.

"Nancy Pelosi did not elect the congressman. And she sure as hell won't be the one to tell the congressman to leave," said Arnold Reed, lawyer for Conyers.

The scandal widened Thursday across both parties. Congressman Joe Barton, Republican of Texas, said he would not run for reelection next year after sending a nude photo to a woman with whom he was having an extramarital relationship.

Barton is not accused of harassment. Meanwhile, a fifth woman accused Democrat Al Franken of Minnesota, of sexual misconduct. This time, an army vet says Franken groped her while on a USO tour in 2003.

Franken sidestepped questions.

"My office has put out a statement and I'm looking forward to fighting this terrible tax bill," Franken said.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, told NPR on Thursday that it was Conyers' right to fight the allegations, but added that she believed the women accusing him.