Massa stops voting; spokesman on hiatus

Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) has not voted since announcing Wednesday that he is retiring due to a recurrence of cancer.

Massa was one of 14 members who didn't cast a vote for the jobs bill that passed in the House on Thursday afternoon. He also missed a series of procedural votes and minor bills throughout the day.

He missed the final three votes on Wednesday, after making his announcement.

Democratic leaders have acknowledged a complaint against Massa was forwarded to the House ethics committee. Massa has been accused of harrassing a member of his staff.

In other Massa news, spokesman Jared Smith appears to be taking some time off as questions swirl over his boss.

Smith says on his voicemail greeting that he will be "out of the office for the next several days." His phone number had been included in a press release Wednesday announcing Massa's conference call.

Smith referred comment to Chief of Staff Joe Racalto, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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