U.S. lawmaker Anthony Weiner has announced his resignation from his seat in Congress following disclosures about lewd photographs and messages he sent to women via the Internet.
The representative from New York told reporters on June 16 that he had created a "distraction" with his behavior, and that continuing as a lawmaker in the House Of Representatives was "impossible" under the shadow of the scandal.
At the news conference in his home district of Brooklyn, Weiner apologized for what he called "personal mistakes" and the embarrassment he had caused.
"I'm here today to again apologize for the personal mistakes I have made and the embarrassment I have caused. I make this apology to my neighbors and my constituents, but I make it particularly to my wife, Huma," Weiner said. "I had hoped to be able to continue the work that the citizens of my district elected me to do: to fight for the middle class and those struggling to make it. Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created has made that impossible, so today I'm announcing my resignation from Congress."
Cheering broke out among the assembled observers before Weiner continued: "So my colleagues can get back to work, my neighbors can choose a new representative, and, more importantly, that my wife and I can continue to heal from the damage I have caused."
Weiner, whose wife is a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, had previously said he had no plans to resign over the scandal.
But earlier this week, President and fellow Democrat Barack Obama said he would resign if he were in Weiner's position.
The Democrats are expected to retain Weiner's seat in the House, which will be filled in a special election.
compiled from agency reports
The representative from New York told reporters on June 16 that he had created a "distraction" with his behavior, and that continuing as a lawmaker in the House Of Representatives was "impossible" under the shadow of the scandal.
At the news conference in his home district of Brooklyn, Weiner apologized for what he called "personal mistakes" and the embarrassment he had caused.
"I'm here today to again apologize for the personal mistakes I have made and the embarrassment I have caused. I make this apology to my neighbors and my constituents, but I make it particularly to my wife, Huma," Weiner said. "I had hoped to be able to continue the work that the citizens of my district elected me to do: to fight for the middle class and those struggling to make it. Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created has made that impossible, so today I'm announcing my resignation from Congress."
Cheering broke out among the assembled observers before Weiner continued: "So my colleagues can get back to work, my neighbors can choose a new representative, and, more importantly, that my wife and I can continue to heal from the damage I have caused."
Weiner, whose wife is a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, had previously said he had no plans to resign over the scandal.
But earlier this week, President and fellow Democrat Barack Obama said he would resign if he were in Weiner's position.
The Democrats are expected to retain Weiner's seat in the House, which will be filled in a special election.
compiled from agency reports
