Raising a question of the privileges of the House.

Whereas, on March 8, 2010, Representative Eric Massa resigned from the House;

Whereas numerous newspapers and other media organizations reported in the days before and after Mr. Massa’s resignation that the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct was investigating allegations that Mr. Massa sexually harassed members of his congressional staff;

Whereas, on March 3, 2010, Majority Leader Hoyer’s office issued a statement saying, The week of Feburary 8th, a member of Rep. Massa’s staff brought to the attention of Mr. Hoyer’s staff allegations of misconduct that had been made against Mr. Massa. Mr. Hoyer’s staff immediately informed him of what they had been told;

Whereas, on Thursday, March 4, Roll Call newspaper reported, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she only learned Wednesday of misconduct allegations against freshman Rep. Eric Massa, though her staff had learned of it earlier and decided against briefing her. There had been a rumor, but just that, Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference. A one-, two-, three-person rumor that had been reported to Mr. Hoyer’s office and reported to my staff which they did not report to me because you know what? This is rumor city. There are rumors.;

Whereas, on March 11, 2010, The Washington Post reported, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office was notified in October by then-Rep. Eric Massa’s top aide [Joe Racalto] of concerns about the New York Democrat’s behavior;

Whereas, on March 11, 2010, Politico newspaper reported, Democratic insiders say Pelosi’s office took no action after Racalto expressed his concerns about his then-boss in October;

Whereas, on March 9, 2010, The Corning Leader newspaper reported, Hoyer said last week he told Massa to inform the House Ethics Committee of the charges within 48 hours. Steny Hoyer has never said a single word to me, never, not once, not a word, Massa said Sunday. This is a lie. It is a blatant false statement.;

Whereas numerous confusing and conflicting media reports that House Democratic leaders knew about, and may have failed to handle appropriately, allegations that Rep. Massa was sexually harassing his own employees have raised serious and legitimate questions about what Speaker Pelosi as well as other Democratic leaders and their respective staffs were told, and what those individuals did with the information in their possession;

Whereas the aforementioned media accounts have held the House up to public ridicule;

Whereas the possibility that House Democratic leaders may have failed to immediately confront Rep. Massa about allegations of sexual harassment may have exposed employees and interns of Rep. Massa to continued harassment;

Whereas clause one of Rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, titled Code of Conduct , states A Member, Delegate, Resident Commission, officer, or employee of the House shall conduct himself at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House; and

Whereas the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is charged under House Rules with enforcing the Code of Conduct: Now, therefore, be it