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Weiner should resign, Cantor says

June 7, 2011

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the U.S. House of Representatives majority leader, called on Congressman Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) to resign.

Cantor's call Tuesday came a day after Weiner admitted to having innapropriate Internet relationships and lying about a lewd photo posted to his Twitter account.

"I don't condone his activity. And I think he should resign," Cantor said Tuesday after a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Charlottesville Daily Progress reported.

In a press conference Monday, Weiner pledged he would not resign. After his admission, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) requested an investigation by the Ethics Panel into whether Weiner violated chamber rules.

Traditionally, leaders defer to the an errant lawmaker's party leadership on whether to call for a resignation. Democrats have been silent so far on whether Weiner should resign.

 "We've got a lot of serious challenges in this country and a lot of work for Congress to do," Cantor said. "The last thing we need to do is get enmeshed in a discussion about Congressman Weiner and his Twitter activities."

Cantor is the highest-ranking Jewish congressman in U.S. history. Weiner, who also is Jewish, is one of the most hawkish congressmen on Israel issues.

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