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To: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Committee on Ethics Chairman Congressman Deutch, Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Gottheimer, Ways & Means Committee Chairman Congressman Neal
Congressman Sexual Misconduct: Censure & Resignation - Rep Tom Reed
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Congressman Tom Reed should be removed of committee assignments, censured by the House of Representatives, and should resign now.
Congressman Reed admitted that he made unwanted, physical sexual advances on a professional lobbyist in a bar in Minneapolis, MN in 2017 while on a political trip. HIs admission came only after the incident was reported in the Washington Post and other national media. In his admission on March 21, 2021, Reed cited alcoholism as his excuse for his behavior.
His actions, and subsequent admission to sexually assaulting a woman, are clearly in direct violation of the first tenet of the House’s 117th Congress, Rule XXIII--Code of Official Conduct which states, “A Member…of the House shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.” The Congressman’s behavior has brought dishonor upon the House and harm to a young woman.
Congressman Reed admitted that he made unwanted, physical sexual advances on a professional lobbyist in a bar in Minneapolis, MN in 2017 while on a political trip. HIs admission came only after the incident was reported in the Washington Post and other national media. In his admission on March 21, 2021, Reed cited alcoholism as his excuse for his behavior.
His actions, and subsequent admission to sexually assaulting a woman, are clearly in direct violation of the first tenet of the House’s 117th Congress, Rule XXIII--Code of Official Conduct which states, “A Member…of the House shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.” The Congressman’s behavior has brought dishonor upon the House and harm to a young woman.
Why is this important?
There are zero excuses for sexual misconduct and sexual assault. That Reed is in a position of power as an elected U.S. Congressman, makes his actions even more abhorrent.
As if to imply he’s been punished enough by being publicly exposed, Reed stated he will serve out his present term with a promise not to run for Congress again. He also said he will not run for Governor of NYS in 2022, despite his previously stated ambition to do so. (Reed stated in 2012 that he would only serve 10 years, thus, he had already told voters he would not run in 2022.)
Congressman Reed, himself, seems to think he can set the terms of how he will be held accountable for his egregious--and possibly criminal--behavior. That is not how accountability works and there must be serious consequences when both a private and public trust has been so violated. Tom Reed should be stripped of committee assignments, censured by the House, and should resign now.
Sources:
1. "Former lobbyist accuses Rep. Tom Reed, a potential Cuomo challenger, of sexual misconduct," The Washington Post, March 19, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/tom-reed-lobbyist-nicolette-davis/2021/03/19/10717562-84f3-11eb-8a67-f314e5fcf88d_story.html
2. "'Sorry': GOP US Rep. Tom Reed retiring amid misconduct claim" Washington Post, March 21, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republican-rep-tom-reed-accused-of-misconduct-will-retire/2021/03/21/87b2cd5a-8aa3-11eb-a33e-da28941cb9ac_story.html
3. Rule XXIII--Code of Official Conduct, Rules of the House of Representatives - 117th Congress
https://ethics.house.gov/publications/code-official-conduct
As if to imply he’s been punished enough by being publicly exposed, Reed stated he will serve out his present term with a promise not to run for Congress again. He also said he will not run for Governor of NYS in 2022, despite his previously stated ambition to do so. (Reed stated in 2012 that he would only serve 10 years, thus, he had already told voters he would not run in 2022.)
Congressman Reed, himself, seems to think he can set the terms of how he will be held accountable for his egregious--and possibly criminal--behavior. That is not how accountability works and there must be serious consequences when both a private and public trust has been so violated. Tom Reed should be stripped of committee assignments, censured by the House, and should resign now.
Sources:
1. "Former lobbyist accuses Rep. Tom Reed, a potential Cuomo challenger, of sexual misconduct," The Washington Post, March 19, 2021.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/tom-reed-lobbyist-nicolette-davis/2021/03/19/10717562-84f3-11eb-8a67-f314e5fcf88d_story.html
2. "'Sorry': GOP US Rep. Tom Reed retiring amid misconduct claim" Washington Post, March 21, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republican-rep-tom-reed-accused-of-misconduct-will-retire/2021/03/21/87b2cd5a-8aa3-11eb-a33e-da28941cb9ac_story.html
3. Rule XXIII--Code of Official Conduct, Rules of the House of Representatives - 117th Congress
https://ethics.house.gov/publications/code-official-conduct
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