John Conyers Stepping Down as Ranking Democrat on Judiciary Committee

Decision Follows Sexual Harassment Accusations

Representative John Conyers announced Sunday that he would step down as the top Democrat on the House’s Judiciary Committee amidst allegations of sexual harassment. 

The Michigan Democrat shared his decision via Twitter in a series of tweets:

After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee during the investigation of these matters.

I deny these allegations, many of which were raised by documents reportedly paid for by a partisan alt-right blogger. I very much look forward to vindicating myself and my family before the House Committee on Ethics.

To be clear, I would like very much to remain as Ranking Member. There is still much work to be done on core concerns like securing civil rights, enacting meaningful criminal justice reform, and protecting access to the ballot box.

These challenges could not be more pressing in the face of an Administration that cares little for the rule of law and a President whose actions and conduct cheapens our discourse every day.

But I have come to believe that my presence as Ranking Member on the Committee would not serve these efforts while the Ethics Committee investigation is pending. 

I cannot in good conscience allow these charges to undermine my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus, and my friends on both sides of the aisle in the Judiciary Committee and the House of Representatives.

I am proud and fortunate to be part of a legacy of more than 50 years of fighting for civil rights and making our country more equitable and just.

I’ll never allow that legacy – a legacy I owe to my father   John Conyers, Sr., who integrated labor unions, or my two amazing sons John III & Carl and my loving wife Monica, and the extraordinary people of Detroit – to be cast aside, or these causes to be in any way diminished.

I am grateful to my colleagues who have called for due process before weighing judgment. I would urge them to continue to do so for any Member accused of wrongdoing. Basic fairness requires no less.

As Politico reported, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the Democrat deserved “due process” and advised she believed he would “do the right thing.”

“Zero tolerance means consequences,” Pelosi released in a statement following Conyers’ announcement. “I have asked for an ethics investigation, and as that investigation continues, @RepJohnConyers has agreed to step aside as Ranking Member. No matter how great an individual’s legacy, it is not a license for harassment.”

Conyers is currently the most senior member of the House, having held his seat since 1965.

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