marcia: Nancy Pelosi calls for ethics investigation of Anthony Weiner after congressman admits photo was him

Political Hotsheet

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on 'Face the Nation," Sunday, June 5, 2011.

(Credit: CBS/Chris Usher)

Updated 7 p.m. ET

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on Monday called for an ethics investigation into Rep. Anthony Weiner's admission that he held inappropriate online relationships with half a dozen women over three years.

"I am deeply disappointed and saddened about this situation; for Anthony's wife, Huma, his family, his staff and his constituents," Pelosi said in a written statement. Weiner is married to Huma Abedin, a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

At a New York news conference earlier Monday, Weiner said he had not broken any laws or the House rules and would not step down from his seat after he tearfully admitted sending racy photos and flirting with six women over several years. Weiner and Abedin were married last year.

Pelosi asked the ethics panel "to determine whether any official resources were used" or House rules were broken.

The first rule of the House states that members "shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House."

The ethics committee is expected to launch an investigation, though Pelosi's recommendation does not guarantee it. House Speaker John Boehner has not made a public comment on whether or not the panel should look into Weiner's conduct.

After Pelosi's statement, Weiner released a statement saying he welcomed the investigation.

"I welcome and will fully cooperate with an investigation by the House Ethics Committee," he said in the statement., adding that he is "deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents."

Meanwhile, as the content of the Tweets and other messages comes out, some of which are very explicit in nature, it remains to be seen how Weiner's apology will be received by his constituents, or whether that will have an effect on the investigation.

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