Congressman Weiner Takes Temporary Leave to Seek Treatment

Embattled Congressman Anthony Weiner is taking a temporary leave to seek professional treatment, his office said Saturday.

The Democratic New York Representative has been entrenched in scandal since he recently admitted to having numerous sexual conversations online, in addition to exchanging provactive pictures with women who weren't his wife.

The congressman's spokesperson, Risa Heller, notified the media of his intentions.

"Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person," Heller said in a statement.

"In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well."

Also Saturday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen of the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee urged Weiner to resign.

Pelosi noted: "Congressman Weiner has the love of his family, the confidence of his constituents and the recognition that he needs help. I urge Congressman Weiner to seek that help without the pressures of being a member of Congress."

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz also encouraged Weiner to exit promptly.

"The behavior he has exhibited is indefensible and Representative Weiner's continued service in Congress is untenable," Schultz commented.

Democrats have been grumbling since the scandal broke, as it has distracted the party's efforts to build consensus before the elections in 2012.