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Leaders of both parties pushed John Conyers to resign last week
Conyers faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment by former staffers
Embattled Democratic Rep. John Conyers told a Detroit area radio show that he’ll step down from his seat in Congress Tuesday, the first member of Congress to resign amid a nationwide reckoning over sexual harassment in the workplace.
Conyers, who spoke for the first time in public since returning to his home district amid allegations of sexual harassment, announced his retirement on Mildred Gaddis’ radio show in Detroit. He endorsed his son to replace him in Congress.
“My legacy can’t be compromised or diminished in any way by what we’re going through now,” he said, calling in from a local hospital. “This too shall pass.”
Pressure had been mounting for Conyers, who was hospitalized in Michigan late last month, to resign. Members of the Democratic leadership, including Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of the elder members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all called on Conyers to step down. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan also called on Conyers to resign.
Conyers, who was the longest currently serving of member of the US House of Representatives, was facing investigation by the House