John Conyers Steps Down as Ranking Dem on Judiciary Committee Amid Allegations

Rep. John Conyers of Michigan said Sunday he’s stepping down from his post as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee amid accusations of sexual harassment against aides and misuse of office resources.

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.

— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017

Conyers, the most senior member of the House, serving in the seat since 1965, said his decision came reluctantly — and denied the allegations against him.

I deny these allegations, many of which were raised by documents reportedly paid for by a partisan alt-right blogger. I very much look forward to vindicating myself and my family before the House Committee on Ethics.

— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017

To be clear, I would like very much to remain as Ranking Member. There is still much work to be done on core concerns like securing civil rights, enacting meaningful criminal justice reform, and protecting access to the ballot box.

— John Conyers, Jr. (@RepJohnConyers) November 26, 2017

In a series of tweets about his decision, he said he couldn’t “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.”

The departure opens a powerful committee post —and adds to a scandal roiling Capitol Hill amid a series of sexual harassment allegations against members and aides, Politico noted.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said earlier in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Conyers deserved “due process” and that she believed “he will do the right thing.”

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