- Rep. John Conyers reportedly settled a sexual harassment claim with a staffer who says she was fired for refusing his sexual advances.
- The House Ethics Committee has already launched an inquiry.
- Some congressmembers and a prominent Michigan newspaper are calling on him to step down from his various posts.
Calls for Michigan Rep. John Conyers to step aside from his post as top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee — or from Congress all together — are increasing as revelations about his alleged sexual misconduct continue to emerge.
Conyers' Democratic colleagues in the House, including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Whip Steny Hoyer, have demanded an investigation by the Ethics Committee and are repeating calls for an overhaul of the way Congress handles sexual misconduct issues.
The Ethics Committee swiftly launched an investigation into Conyers after BuzzFeed reported that a woman was fired for not complying with his sexual advances. Conyers admitted to a settlement, but denied any wrongdoing.
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Some have suggested further action be taken.
New York Rep. Gregory Meeks told CNN on Wednesday that Conyers should leave his post as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee while the Ethics Committee conducts its investigation.
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Aside from the few members of Congress calling for Conyers' to step aside, a Tuesdayeditorialfromthe Detroit Free Press, demanded the 88-year-old Democrat resign.