Boehner joins call for Weiner resignation

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John Boehner added to the pressure Tuesday on Rep. Anthony Weiner to quit, amid expectations among some lawmakers that he might resign this week.

For the first time since the sexting scandal began more than two weeks ago, Boehner (R-Ohio) weighed in, answering a question about whether the Forest Hills Democrat should resign by saying, "Yes."

With that one-word reply, Boehner joined President Barack Obama and other top GOP and Democratic leaders in urging or suggesting that Weiner step down after disclosures of his salacious online messages and photos.

Several Democrats complain that Weiner remains a distraction from their political message, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) explained her call for him to resign to the House Democratic caucus Tuesday.

While many Democratic lawmakers ducked questions about Weiner, some added to the chorus telling him to go.

"We should send a strong message to him that he should resign," said Rep. Sanford Levin (D-Mich.). "The more of us who say it, the more telling it will be."

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola) expressed hope the drama will end soon.

"Hopefully, we're hearing he might resign in a couple of days," McCarthy said.

But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Weiner's mentor, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), refused to urge Weiner to quit.

"As I said this weekend, those of us who have been friends of Anthony Weiner for a very long time feel his wrongful behavior is distressing, it's saddening, it's heartbreaking. Now it's clear he needs professional help. That's what he sought," Schumer said.

"And that's all I'm going to say about the subject."

Weiner, who has insisted he won't end his 12-year career as a House member, began a two-week leave Monday to seek professional treatment in an undisclosed location as the House Ethics Committee began an investigation of him.

Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, is to return Wednesday from her diplomatic trip with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton -- and Weiner said he would not decide before he could talk with her in person.