In case you missed it, sixty-two year old Rep. Pat Meehan is in the midst of a meltdown after a New York Times story revealed he paid thousands in taxpayer dollars to settle with a decades-younger employee for “making unwanted romantic overtures.” After initially denying the reports, Rep. Meehan personally admitted today that he told the young woman that he had a deep “affection” for her, saw her as “a soul mate” and lashed out when she entered into a relationship with another man.
Despite the disturbing admission from Meehan, Speaker Ryan has refused to ask his colleague to step down. Notably, this is the first secret Republican settlement that we know of to be paid out during Ryan’s speakership. This growing scandal will continue to be an issue for House Republican leadership until Meehan resigns.
DCCC Communications Director Meredith Kelly released the following statement:
“There’s no longer any doubt: Congressman Meehan admitted to creating a hostile work environment and harassing a young woman in his office. Just as Meehan refuses to take responsibility for his own reprehensible behavior, Speaker Ryan is refusing to take a decisive stand against his harassment. This growing scandal will continue to haunt Paul Ryan until he demands his friend’s resignation.”