Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) plans to resign after becoming embroiled in an ethics controversy involving allegations of sexual harassment.
Massa is leaving Congress sooner than he had originally planned – at 5 p.m. on Monday (8 March), his office confirmed Friday.
On Wednesday 3 March), he had announced he would leave the House when his term ends, citing health problems. But the House ethics committee has confirmed that it was investigating Massa. It has been widely reported that he allegedly sexually harassed a male staff member, a charge Massa denies.
The bad news for Democrats is twofold:
One of their members is embroiled in an embarrassing scandal (though getting Massa out of the House sooner rather than later is a plus).
And his seat is vulnerable to a GOP takeover, as the district leans right and the seat was long held by Republicans.
