Democrat accused of harassment steps down from House committee leadership post, but does not resign
- John Conyers announced he is stepping down as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.
- He did not resign, despite pressure from some Democrats to do so.
- Multiple women have accused him of sexual misconduct, which he has denied.
Rep. John Conyers stepped down as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee following reports that he settled with a former staffer who said she was fired after rebuffing his sexual advances.
"After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters," Conyers said in a statement on Sunday.
Conyers reiterated that he denied allegations that he harassed several former staffers, instead criticizing far-right online provocateur Mike Cernovich, a conspiracy theorist who nevertheless helped surface the claims.
But the 88-year-old Michigan Democrat acknowledged that he could be a distraction from Democratic priorities while the House Ethics Committee investigates his behavior.
"I have come to believe that my presence as Ranking Member of the Committee would not serve these efforts while the ethics committee investigation is pending," Conyers said. "I cannot in good conscience allow these charges to undermine my colleagues in the Democratic caucus, and my friends on both sides of the aisle in the Judiciary Committee and the House of Representatives."
Democratic leaders have increasingly faced questions over whether Conyers should resign amid mounting claims against Conyers.
House Leader Nancy Pelosi was criticized on Sunday after she defended the longtime Michigan Democrat, calling him an "icon" and dodging questions about whether he should resign.
In a separate statement on Sunday following Conyers' decision to step aside, she seemed to reverse course, saying "no tolerance means consequences."
"We are at a watershed moment on the issue, and no matter how great an individual's legacy, it is not a license for harassment," Pelosi said. "I commend the women coming forward."