Embattled Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., had announced last week he would resign from Congress at the conclusion of the contentious battle over raising the debt ceiling. It was the final legislative hurrah for the seven-term lawmaker, who said he would step down after a damaging report that he had an "unwanted sexual encounter" with the teenage daughter of a campaign donor.
But now, nearly twenty-four hours after the president signed the debt bill into law, Wu still remains in office.
But now, nearly twenty-four hours after the president signed the debt bill into law, Wu still remains in office.
A spokeswoman for Oregon's Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber, said the governor's office has not yet received a formal resignation letter from Wu - which is required for the governor to set a special election date - and House Speaker John Boehner's office said they have not yet received official notice of Wu's departure, either.
But there could be a better timetable soon for when he'll officially resign. Wu spokesman Erik Dorey told Hotline On Call he will speak with the congressman later this afternoon and could know then when he plans to step down.
"It won't be long," said Dorey.
Even though the House is in recess until September 7, Wu's resignation won't be held up. He'll officially resign to the governor, but a letter will also be sent to the House Clerk's office and the Speaker. With the House still in pro forma sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the month, whenever the letter is received is when it would be read into the Congressional Record, according to the House Parliamentarian's office.
Democratic challengers had already been lining up to primary Wu, so for several, the transition from regular to a special election will come easy. Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian was out early with a fundraising lead among hopefuls, and state Rep. Brad Witt has also launched a campaign. State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici has launched a website and is expected to get in the race soon. Witt campaign director Katherine Pfeiffer told Hotline On Call their campaign has confidence in the Democratic leadership to hold Wu to his promise. "The only thing we're looking at is how it will impact the special election time," Pfeiffer said of Wu's impending resignation. "It's on our radar screen, but it's not overpowering. [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi has followed though on everything she's said she's going, to do and we don't see why this would be any different." As Wu still remained in office on Wednesday, at least one potential replacement's campaign slammed Wu's procrastination in officially stepping down. "Distraction and controversy have left the voters of Northwest Oregon without effective representation for too long. Taxpayers have paid over $3,000 in salary to David Wu since he admitted what Brad Avakian has been saying for months - Oregon needs better representation in Washington D.C," said Avakian spokesman Jake Weigler. "It is time for David Wu to fully resign so we can begin to put this embarrassment behind us."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/08/the-wu-watch-continues-03
But there could be a better timetable soon for when he'll officially resign. Wu spokesman Erik Dorey told Hotline On Call he will speak with the congressman later this afternoon and could know then when he plans to step down.
"It won't be long," said Dorey.
Even though the House is in recess until September 7, Wu's resignation won't be held up. He'll officially resign to the governor, but a letter will also be sent to the House Clerk's office and the Speaker. With the House still in pro forma sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the month, whenever the letter is received is when it would be read into the Congressional Record, according to the House Parliamentarian's office.
Democratic challengers had already been lining up to primary Wu, so for several, the transition from regular to a special election will come easy. Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian was out early with a fundraising lead among hopefuls, and state Rep. Brad Witt has also launched a campaign. State Sen. Suzanne Bonamici has launched a website and is expected to get in the race soon. Witt campaign director Katherine Pfeiffer told Hotline On Call their campaign has confidence in the Democratic leadership to hold Wu to his promise. "The only thing we're looking at is how it will impact the special election time," Pfeiffer said of Wu's impending resignation. "It's on our radar screen, but it's not overpowering. [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi has followed though on everything she's said she's going, to do and we don't see why this would be any different." As Wu still remained in office on Wednesday, at least one potential replacement's campaign slammed Wu's procrastination in officially stepping down. "Distraction and controversy have left the voters of Northwest Oregon without effective representation for too long. Taxpayers have paid over $3,000 in salary to David Wu since he admitted what Brad Avakian has been saying for months - Oregon needs better representation in Washington D.C," said Avakian spokesman Jake Weigler. "It is time for David Wu to fully resign so we can begin to put this embarrassment behind us."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/08/the-wu-watch-continues-03