>
Article snippet: Sexual harassment charges against Democratic lawmakers are threatening to drown out the party’s message on tax reform at a crucial juncture in the year-end fight over President Trump’s prized legislation. Democrats had hoped to use this week to drive opposition to the GOP’s tax-code overhaul, which they say showers benefits on corporations and the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. But the message has been muddied by the lingering storm over the harassment charges swirling around Sen. MORE Jr. (D-Mich.), the longest-serving current member of the House. The saga has become a “big distraction,” in the words of House Minority Leader MORE (Md.) and leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), of which Conyers is a founding member. The talks led Conyers, while maintaining his innocence, to step down as ranking member of the powerful Judiciary Committee pending an investigation by the House Ethics panel. But Pelosi complicated her own message by characterizing Conyers as “an icon” with a long history championing legislation “to protect women” — a defense too strong for the ears of some listeners. She also appeared to cast doubt on those accusing Conyers of harassment, dodging a question about whether she believed his accusers by stating that it was something for the Ethics Committee to review. “I don’t know who they are,” Pelosi told NBC “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd at one point during an interview Sunday. “Do you? They have not come forward.” Pelosi... Link to the full article to read more