March 3, 2010
Congressman Massa will not seek re-election (updated)
Is there any relationship between these two stories? Or just coincidence?
Number One (MPNNow.com)
March 2, 2010 Canandaigua, N.Y. - U.S. Rep. Eric Massa, D-Corning said today he would vote against the Senate version of health-care overhaul legislation soon to reach the House. "If it is a up or down vote on the Senate version, I will vote ‘no,'" Massa told reporters during a conference call. Massa was one of 215 House members who voted against sweeping health-care overhaul legislation when it passed the House with 220 votes in November. Massa has objected to the legislation for numerous reasons, including that it mandates nearly everyone buy insurance. During a visit to Finger Lakes Community College last month, he told students he thinks the legislation should be dealt with in parts, not as a whole package, a stand he reiterated Tuesday.
Number Two (Politico)
Today, after a male aide accused him of sexual harassment, he announced he would not seek re-election.
Update:
THE HILL ^ | 03/03/10 03:41 PM ET | Aaron BlakeRep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that he has used "salty language" with staff but that it's not the reason he's retiring.Massa announced he would retire from Congress after just one term, but said reports that he is under investigation for sexually harassing a male staffer are besides the point."There are blogs who are saying that I'm leaving because there are charges of harrassment against my staff," Massa said. "Do I or have I ever used salty language when I'm angry - especially in the privacy of my inner office or even at home? Yes, I have. And I have apologized to those where it's appropriate. But those kind of articles, unsubstantiated without fact or backing, are a symptom of what's wrong with this city."