8 Democrats on Hill urge Weiner to quit House

The saga of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) took several turnsWednesday as a handful of Democrats in Congress called for him toresign and news broke that his wife was pregnant.

The New York Times reported that Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, asenior aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, is in theearly stages of pregnancy with the couple's first child. A personclose to the Clinton family later confirmed the news to TheWashington Post.

Clinton and Abedin left Washington on Wednesday for a scheduledtour of African nations. Another State Department aide on the trip,Philippe Reines, replied, "No comment" when asked about thepregnancy report.

On Capitol Hill, eight Democrats called on Weiner to resign hisHouse seat after his admission of engaging in virtual relationshipswith at least six women. That group included Rep. Allyson Y.Schwartz (D-Pa.), who handles recruitment for the DemocraticCongressional Campaign Committee.

"Having the respect of your constituents is fundamental for aMember of Congress," Schwartz said in a statement, adding that in"light of Anthony Weiner's offensive behavior online, he shouldresign."

The statement was widely regarded as a sign that the partyleadership had decided it is time for Weiner to leave the House. Butthe news of Abedin's pregnancy may tamp down such calls out ofrespect for the couple's privacy at such a delicate time.

Other Democrats to call for his resignation were Reps. JoeDonnelly (Ind.), Niki Tsongas (Mass.), Mike Ross (Ark.), LarryKissell (N.C.) and Michael H. Michaud (Maine), and Sens. Mark Pryor(Ark.) and Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.). Former Democratic NationalCommittee chairman Timothy M. Kaine, who is running in Virginia forthe U.S. Senate, also called on Weiner to step aside.

Late Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Weiner told the AssociatedPress that the congressman had "sent explicit photos" over theInternet. One such photo said to be of Weiner surfaced onlineWednesday.

Those close to Weiner say he remains insistent that he has brokenno laws and has no plans to leave the House.

He said in his Monday news conference that the marriage willremain intact.