N.Y. Democrat Eric Massa to quit House amid ethics probe
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Rep. Eric Massa, an upstate New York Democrat, will resign his House seat amid reports that he is under an ethics investigation.
Earlier this week, Massa, a freshman congressman, announced he would not run for reelection in November for health reasons.
A spokesman for Massa refused to comment Friday about the congressman’s plans, but his planned resignation was widely reported by newspapers, wire services and cable television networks.
[Updated 1:49 p.m. Massa formally announced his resignation in an apologetic open letter on his website.]
Massa’s departure means that Democrats in the House will need 216 votes to pass healthcare overhaul legislation that is expected to be the major vote this month. If Massa stayed on, 217 votes would have been required for passage.
Democrats are scrambling to find the needed votes and had eyed Massa, who voted against healthcare reform when the House passed its version last year, as a possible swing vote.
Massa, 50, is expected to resign effective Monday. The resignation comes amid a House Ethics Committee review of a harassment complaint by a male staffer who reportedly felt uncomfortable in a situation that had sexual overtones.
The ethics panel issued a brief statement on Thursday saying it is “investigating and gathering additional information concerning matters related to allegations involving” Massa.
Massa represents the 29th District, which includes the so-called Southern Tier of New York. It is an area that has long been friendly territory for Republicans. GOP Sen. John McCain carried the district in his failed presidential campaign in 2008.
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-- Michael Muskal
