Steny Hoyer: Massa Claims 'Absurd' And 'Absolutely Untrue'

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) blasted claims made on Sunday by now-retired New York Congressman Eric Massa alleging that he was "forced out" by the Obama administration for his "no" vote on health care reform.

In a lively interview with reporters, Hoyer called Massa's statements "absurd."

"It's absolutely untrue that there was any relationship" between the timing of Massa's retirement and his health care vote, Hoyer continued.

According to Hoyer, he was compelled to push the New York representative's ethics investigation when one of Massa's aides contacted his office to outline the sexual harassment allegations.

"The issues being raised sounded serious," he explained.

Hoyer wouldn't go into further detail about specific charges against Massa. According to Massa's WKPQ interview on Sunday, the ethics probe had arisen from an exchange that took place between him and a male staffer at a raucous wedding party on New Years Eve. The majority leader left questions about further ethics violations unanswered, saying that he knew "some" of the accusations "but not the details."

Eric Massa is scheduled to appear on Glenn Beck's television program for an entire hour this evening.

Comments

[BillyClub]

06:21 PM on 03/21/2010

Putting politics aside for the moment, (which I know is hard for some to do), I suspect that Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) was "born" wearing an Eton white dress shirt, with French cuffs; and an expensive tie by Forzieri! He is by far the best dressed dude on Capitol Hill. Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtBXhT4e-n0

[vippy]

12:47 PM on 03/10/2010

I watched him in a car repair place on with Beck and his eyes fluttered so many times, which seemed to tell me that he is a very frustrated person sexually. I believe he developed taste for other than females.

[hawkny]

10:36 AM on 03/10/2010

Eric Massa would make Glenn Beck, Hannity and Rush (the three college dropout amigos) into meatheads, if given his own radio/TV show...he not only talks the talk...he walks the walk..

[OneConservative]

09:38 AM on 03/10/2010

It is time for an investigation of Hoyer.

[dayala]

09:01 AM on 03/10/2010

I watched Massa on Larry King last night, I am not going to pile on the man.

it seems he has engaged in questionable behavior, as a rookie member of Congress you would have thought he would have learned from the mistakes of other Congresspeople who found themselves in similiar situations.

I believe his allegations against Rahm Emmanuel have merit however trying to connect what Rahm did and what he(Massa) did at this so-called party where 'groping' occurred is beyond the pale...the two events are exclusive of one another unless Rahm threatened to expose rumors he had heard about Massa around the hill.

If Massa was sexually harrassing why didn't these "victims" come out sooner?

there's more to this bizarre event and think there's a monumental effort by the Dems to intimidate Massa into keeping his mouth shut.

[BrandonBoston]

09:01 AM on 03/10/2010

How much was Massa paid by the Repubs to do this show and to say what he did with Glen Beck?

The Reubs are having a blast with this guy!

[ptluzzi59]

08:46 AM on 03/10/2010

This guy resigned because of what was going to come out about his gay activities on the hill. He didn’t want his wife and family to find out what he really is. Mind you there is nothing wrong with being gay but it is wrong to be gay while having a wife.

[aonemandog]

08:19 AM on 03/10/2010

Call me paranoid, and yes, Massa seems to be, at the very least, one mixed up man. However, all of this piling-on leaves an uneasy feeling. Only people who work in the senate and congress could know if what happened and the way it happened are normal procedure for such instances but, the whole thing seems wrong. The unidentified staffers, the idea that the man who has worked for him forever turned him in, now the accusing staffers have melded into the woodwork of the capitol. I have a feeling a lot of people are going to come into line with the President and Rahm's plans in the very near future. Washington DC is not a very nice place.

[fabricnthreads]

08:15 AM on 03/10/2010

Amusing use of the term "pile on," considering Massa's revelations on Glenn Beck about the Navy, not to mention his general participation in "guy play..."

[AbeMartin]

08:06 AM on 03/10/2010

The voters of Massa's Appalachian Mountain district in New York did so only to get him out of the state. I am surprised that Congressman Bump and Tickle didn't select "Dueling Banjos" --the theme song of Deliverance as his campaign song. Ned Beatty broke into a sweat when he saw Eric on Beck's show last night.

[aonemandog]

08:27 AM on 03/10/2010

You might do well to educate yourself. The area he came from is not the Appalachin mountains, but the Finger Lakes Region; one of the most beautiful areas of the USA and home to a wine growing industry that is now challenging California's Napa Valley. I grew up there and would still be living there if I could. You may live in an area rife with social, economic and educational amenities but, you have obviously failed to take advantage of them.

[AbeMartin]

09:12 AM on 03/10/2010

Well, I do try, but after receiving my Ph.D., and working as a Professor and Dean for nearly forty years, have recognized the futility of trying to master all subjects. But being a New Yorker who grew up on a farm just outside of Dryden (birthplace of John Rockefeller) and worked at the community college in Canandaigua, I have some familiarity with the region. Significant portions of Mr. Massa's district inclued a areas which are geologically considered part of the Appalachians. The Finger Lakes Region is lovely. I also worked for Wells College and lived outside of Ithaca. However, I stand by my original remark. Perhaps, YOUR time would have been better spent actually hiking some of the areas that you claim to know so much about. Do think about overlaying a topo map over the 29th Congressional District of New York.

[beejer50]

07:53 AM on 03/10/2010

Not only is former Rep Massa coming off as a fool, he has allowed himself to be used like a fool by the likes of Glenn Beck.

He reminds me of another self-serving and phony Democrat-- former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich, who will start trial in June. Gov Rod's behavior has been a shameless embarrassment to Illinois and to the Democratic Party.

Mr. Massa's behavior is even more bizarre, and I hope he seeks psychiatric counseling.

[Faxus]

07:40 AM on 03/10/2010

Don't worry Massa, I'm sure OUT magazine will put you on their cover!

[LooktotheLeft]

07:33 AM on 03/10/2010

Eric is just misunderstood...that's all.

It was TOTALLY taken out of context when he groped that hot guy at the New Year's eve party. They were just playful gropes, he swears....just horseplay with the one guy till he couldn't breath...just for laughs....Of course that guy is d*ead now but it was a real hoot. and Eric wants everyone to know that he takes full responsibility for his playfulness.

...and it wasn't Eric's fault that his groping hands accidentally thrust themselves playfully right down this one fun-lovin' guy's pants and that started up this hilarious dance with his one-eyed trouser serpent....but totally inappropriate in retrospect he admits....but all taken out of context.

But Jeez, Eric just needs someone to help him to define where to draw the line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior.....or playful hand groping compared to, say, hot, passionate s*ex with three playful guys at one time....all of which was still taken out of context even though it might have been a week bit inappropriate. But remember, Eric wants to make clear that he takes full ownership of his wonderful fun and taken-out-of-context, feel good hyjinx

[bigfro]

07:30 AM on 03/10/2010

Homo say what

[dimplesmile7]

06:58 AM on 03/10/2010

Massa quiet for years. He is now leaving and all of a sudden feels so empowered to speak. Just another coward.