Rep. Weiner seeks professional help, wants temporary leave of absence from Congress

photo Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., is interviewed by New York Post reporter Georgett Roberts and photographer Anthony Fioranelli as he walks down the street near his home in the Queens borough of New York Saturday, June 11, 2011. (AP Photo by David Karp)

WASHINGTON (AP)-Rep. Anthony Weiner is asking for a temporary leave of absence from the House while he seeks professional treatment in the wake of his Twitter scandal.

A spokeswoman for the New York Democrat says he has left for professional treatment and will focus on "becoming a better husband and healthier person."

Spokeswoman Risa Heller says Weiner wants the leave of absence so he can be evaluated and work out a course of treatment.

The statement doesn't say what Weiner would be treated for.

Just before the statement, leading Democrats demanded that Weiner step down.


WASHINGTON (AP)-Rep. Chris Van Hollen is calling for the immediate resignation of House colleague Anthony Weiner.

Hollen, a Maryland Democrat and the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, said in a statement Saturday that Weiner's "repeated violation of the public trust is unacceptable." He says Weiner should leave Congress immediately.

His statement echoed similar resignation calls Saturday from House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the party chairwoman.

Weiner has admitted sending several women sexually suggestive and explicit Internet messages. A teenage girl from Delaware was interviewed by police Friday about online contact she had with Weiner, a New York Democrat. Weiner said his communication with the girl was neither indecent nor explicit, and police say they have finished their investigation.

Upcoming Events