Senate Ethics chairwoman: Weiner’s conduct is 'horrible'

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Ethics Committee, called the online escapades of embattled Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) “horrible” and said an ethics investigation is warranted.

“From what I know about what he did, it’s horrible,” Boxer told The Hill Thursday.

Boxer, who recently oversaw a Senate Ethics report on the misconduct of former Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), applauded House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) call for an investigation of Weiner.

“I think that Nancy Pelosi has done the exact right thing,” said Boxer, who predicted the decision about whether Weiner stays in Congress is up to the embattled Queens lawmaker.

“As in the cases here, I think he’s going to make the decision,” Boxer said.

Ensign, who had a sexual affair with a former campaign aide who was married to his chief of staff, resigned shortly before the Senate Ethics panel released a detailed report on his liaison.

The committee’s report found that Ensign broke the law, made false statements to the Federal Election Commission and referred his case to the Justice Department for further investigation.

Ensign initially planned to run for reelection next year. He changed his mind as the Ethics panel prepared to release its scathing report.

“I will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings,” Ensign said in his resignation letter. “For my family and me, this continued personal cost is simply too great.”

It remains to be seen whether Weiner wants to subject himself and his family to further scrutiny that would accompany a House investigation. Weiner has vowed he will not resign, while welcoming an investigation.

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