. >>> happening right now, pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan says he regrets not going to court to clear up his name. of course the congressman is under fire for using tax paying dollars to settle a sexual harassment case. our jeff cole sat down with meehan, i know, jeff, you mentioned this earlier he regrets signing that confident loll agreement as well. >> reporter: does he. representative patrick meehan is 62-year-old father of three who says a decades younger female aid became his soulmate who opened the door to an emotional closeness. >> are you trying to retaliate against her, hurt her now. >> not in the least -- not in one shape or other. this is a person i care about deeply. >> reporter: in peril of losing his public career he claims he's been falsely accused of sexual harassment facing claims he made unwanted romantic overtures to an aide he paid hearths sans of dollars in taxpayer funds and severance, not a settlement. >> you ever paid severance before for anybody in your office. >> short ones. >> reporter: short ones? >> what's that mean? >> advice was given and i too

much. >>> moving on to other news tonight we have breaking news regarding republican congressman patrick meehanmittee investigation has been ordered by house speaker paul ryan following a new york times report that meehan used thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment claim. meehan has been removed from his own position on the ethics committee. according to the times last year a former aid accused meehan of making unwanted romantic overtures toward her. his office released a statement a short time ago denying the allegations. >>> a naked man, stralling along i-95, in philadelphia, is being blamed for a huge traffic jam this afternoon. investigators say that they have received a whole bunch of phone calls at 12:30 about a name guy wondering on the shoulder and right lane of the roadway, throwing objects at drivers. at least two cars were damaged man was seen on the southbound lanes between 676 and allegheny avenue, ramps to the cities northern liberties section, traffic was backed up , for academy road, and we are told an arrest has been made. >>> across the country an

. >>> representative pennsylvania representative patrick meehan speaking out about the claim that hesed taxpayer dollars to settle a sexual harassment claim and he spoke to our jeff cole who's joining us from media. so what did he have to say, jeff? >> reporter: well, we had quite a conversation with him. he's talk to many press outlets tonight, and frankly i think he certainly aggressively trying to defend himself and frankly save his congressional career in fact a long career in public life. now the allegation is this. that he had a romantic interest in a female aid much younger than he, and that he expressed hostility to her and may have allegedly harassed her once she began relationship with another person outside the office. meehan denies all of this, but in point of fact he did use taxpayer money to pay her not a settlement he says but a severance. we'll show you about a minute 30 seconds of our interview with congressman meehan just moment ago. >> so did you have romantic feelings for this woman? >> i did not have romantic feelings. i was relationship that was a very professio

. >> we have news involving patrick meehan of pennsylvania. he is the subject of an investigation by the ethic's committee. paul ryan ordered the investigation after the "new york times" reported that meehan used thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment suit. his office has released a statement denying the investigations. meehan is being removed from his position on the ethic's committee. here at home the democrats called for meehan to drop his reelection bid. >> the stunning revelation from the state's new first lady. >> and a stabbing on a busy street. we have those stories and more when "action news" comes right back. ♪ ♪ sorry. i can't make it. it's just my eczema again, but it's fine. hey! hi! aren't you hot? eczema again? it's fine. i saw something the other day. eczema exposed. maybe you should ask your doctor? go to eczemaexposed.com to learn more. >> we have developing news out of the heart of the city tonight. a man and woman were critically injured after they were stabbed outside the facility that helps h

patrick meehan is under investigation over whether he used taxpayer money to pay off his accuser. thursday night, jim is off. i'm monica malpass. the big story is the end of the line for a key republic in a swing district. he's the fifth to resign or abandon efforts over personal indiscretions. dan has more. dan? >> after the uproar of taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment claim by an aide, he has made it clear to house speaker paul ryan that he will not seek reelection. he says he's doing so because it would likely turn into harsh rhetoric. >> after consultation with his wife and sons, he will not seek reelection. he communicated the same to house speaker ryan. unfortunately, certain allegations have become a distraction. i have to own it because my conduct fueled matter. he admits he made matters worse in his efforts to answer reporter's questions over his relationship with a colleague. >> i struggled with the idea that this was somebody that i had a kinship with in a deep way. >> meehan stresses i am a happily married woman to whom i have never been unnaif unfaithf. >> t

mike and alex, back to you. >>> well times up for pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan he is getting out of politics. >> yeah, he has decided not to seek reelection amid sexual harassment allegations and this ethics probe now against him. >> so representative meehan announced yesterday he will retire at the end of his fourth term, congressman is accused of using taxpayer dollar to settle a sexual harassment complaint involving long time aid. he denies having romantic feelings for the former staff er and said the payment was severance. >>> trial continues today for delaware county man charged with shooting a police officer , yesterday jury saw several pictures of the violent crime scene prosecutors say that three two-year old edward archer opened fire off of jesse hartnett shooting him three times at close range. remember when this happened, it was so hard to watch.- >> how did he walk away from that. >> he got out and shot back. >> they goes, unreal. >>> tons of people will be tuning into the gram thinks weekend. >> i like to watch grammys but the actual award might not be the main e

patrick meehan is a veteran member of congress. republican with a straight as arrow reputation former prosecutor but tonight silence from his office as he's linked to inappropriate behavior with a former female aid. there was no answer at the district home of congressman pat meehan of pennsylvania's seventh and recording was running on the phone line of his washington office. >> thank you for contacting the office of congressman patrick meehan. we're unable to take your call right now. >> reporter: it all comes in the wake of a bombshell report broken saturday by the new york times the paper reports me man used thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to settle a misconduct complaint after a former aid accused him of making unwanted romantic advances to her. >> i don't think that's right at all. that's our taxpayer's money. why should he be using our money to get himself out of trouble repor.>> reporter: report in a statement the maryland father of three denies the allegation and claims he always treats his colleagues mail and female

. >> good morning, lauren, karen, patrick meehan of the seventh district say he did not sexual harrass and calls the thousands of dollars tax paid paid her had she left his offers severance not a settlement as new york times first reported. now the times says meehan used taxpayer money to set al misconduct claim after the aid accused him of making unwanted romantic advances toward her. meehan denies it, said did he not have romantic feelings for her, according to the times meehan allegedly expressed his feelings in person, and through a handwritten letter the paper says he grew hostile when the aid rejected him. he calls his attachment to her an emotional not romantic attachment. >> the nature of the feelings, one, in which there is an emotional connection, attraction, but i've also said the romantic partner that i have in my life is my wife. and i expressly stated that i'm not interested in a relationship. >> and meehan is being investigated by the house ethics committee. that's a panel that he sat on until news of the complaint first broke. now an attorney for the aid tells fox 29 me

pennsylvania congressman, patrick meehan, is speaking out following a report he used taxpayer dollars to set al sexual harrassment claim. >> so, sabina has those details and how he is defending himself. sabina? >> hey, good morning, guys, well, meehan says he did not sexually harrass his former aid but he does admit using thousands of dollars in taxpayer money to pay her when she left his office. now, he calls the money severance and says it was not a settlement. that is in contrast to new york times story that says meehan used the public money, to settle a misconduct complaint after the aid accused him of making unwanted roman i can advances cents toward her. cords willing to the times report meehan expressed his alleged feelings in person and through handwritten letter. says meehan became hostile when he found out she had a boyfriend. he said he did not have romantic feelings forayed. he said instead the two were very close and he calls his attachment to the woman emotional, not romantic. mean hand is married and father of through. >> -- three. >> the nature of the feelings, one in

republican congressman patrick meehan is offering an explanation to new reports he used taxpayer moneytle a sexual harassment complaint last year. the 62-year-old married father of three expressed his romantic interest in an aide after she began a serious relationship with someone else and was angry when she did not reciprocate. he admits to a close relationship with her but denies his actions crossed the line, felling "the philadelphia inquirer" that he made it clear that he was not interested in a relationship but, quote, we were soul mates, i think the idea of a soul mate is that sort of a person that you go through remarkable experiences together. okey-doke. i'm bringing back former senator bob toricelli and nan hayworth. nan, he met with the aide, told her they were soul mates over ice cream, then wrote a letter, in it he wrote, you are kind and sensitive and caring and infectious with your laugh. you are and have been a complete partner to me and you have brought me much happiness. he signed the letter, with all my heart, patrick. he may be putting this letter out to try to say t

. >>> there has been a misconduct complaint filed against representative patrick meehan.d just minutes ago, health speaker paul ryan says meehan has been removed from the ethics committee. congressman meehan's office says he's asked for the confidentiality deal to be torn up so all the facts can come out. you can read the congressman's full statement on the nbc 10 app. >>> well, the hit-and-run driver that killed an 8-year-old girl in west philadelphia is headed to prison. a judge yesterday sentenced pal woodland to at least 4 1/2 years behind bars. she was walking home from school in 2016 when she was struck. >>> well, if you thought the flu season is bad right now, it's only going to get worse. health officials thought there was a good chance that the season had already peaked. new numbers show that it's grown even more intense. researchers have counted the number of people visiting the hospital with the symptoms and 32 states tracked higher numbers than the week before. hawaii is the only state not reporting a widespread outbreak. >> let's go eagles! >> the smallest of

. >>> a "new york times" report claims pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan used taxpayer money toe a misconduct complaint by a former aide. meehan denies the allegations. he is a key figure on capitol hill fighting sexual harassment in congress. earlier house speaker paul ryan says meehan has been removed from the it things committee. "the new york times" says the aide reached a confidential agreement with meehan's office after she turned down his advances. congressman meehan's office in a statement says he has asked for the confidentiality deal to be torn up so that all the facts can come out. you can read the congressman's full statement on the nbc 10 app. >>> next on nbc 10, cemetery death. tonight a local graveyard turned into crime scene. >>> playing nice. the olympic spirit bringing together two bitter rivals under one flag but it could mean something much bigger than sport. >>> the nfc championship game is almost here. and this is what is on the line. john clark examines which defense is super bowl-when nbc 10 returns. >>> hundred of people were dressed to the nines for a s

representative patrick meehan announcing he will not run for re-elect.n is embroiled in fact in sexual harassment scandal. on saturday it was reported he used tax dollars to settle a harassment claim made boy a former aide in interview he call the decades younger aid his quote soulmate but said that relationship they had was very professional. meanwhile pennsylvania's highest court ruled all the state's districdistricts are unconstitul including the seventh. >> he sees what's going on tv he doesn't want his name run through the mud like everybody else's. so he's just backing out quiet quietly. >> he called her his soulmate. >> what did you think of that? probably like most other people thought about it, it's ridiculous. >> in his resignation letter he expressed regret that he you've the term soulmate recent main the subject of a house ethics committee investigation. >>> new jersey governor phil murphy will roll back regulations from the christie administration that made it easier to carry hand guns. the requirement would now force residents to show urgen

. >> embroiled in a scandal, pennsylvania congressman, patrick meehan, announces he will not seek re-election. >> tragedy strikes south korea , horrific i can fire at a hospital leaving dozens dead >> a robber with a sweet tooth >> ordered the girl to give her all of the money in the regger. >> man threat answer clerk with a knife, then helps himself to candy, before leaving with cash. >> it is awesome. tonight we saw six eagles players at a sports store in bucks count. >> i two hour line at the oxford valley mall wrapped around the second floor. >> nnl, nice to see them come out. >> let me try that. give me this. i'm going to look just like you. ya, oh, i can feel it working. >> i think you might have used too much. >> how do i look? >> today's morning minute is sponsored by the robert proton therapy center at pedestrian men sin abramson cancer center >> that was gwyneth paltrow stopping by the late show, gave steven column bert her magic face cream to get her gwyneth glow. what do you think, katie? >> well, i think unsettling to see gwyneth paltrow's face on steven column bert. >> little sh

>> chris representative patrick meehan will finish his term and not stand for re-elect but departure not the only change facing the seventh. just how the boundaries are drawn are knot now in question. >> the quipped community of media delaware county affordable housing with small restaurants and retailing win walking distance. it's the county seat and the heart of the seventh congressional district now facing change on two fronts. with meehan's decision to quit. >> the accusation was a surprise and the reaction what i expected him to do. >> the did he mice of meehan's political career was swift. saturday's bombshell he used tax dollars to settle a sexual harassment by a female aid placed his future on live support. but it was series of interviews on tuesday in which he called the woman his soulmate and seemed to shift blame. >> she opened the door to trust mow. >> it was her fault. >> talk with meme it's not her fault. it's not fault. >> reporter: that sang him. >> i have feelings that were generated in that i've said an attraction. >> reporter: did you have romantic feelings for thi

pennsylvania republican patrick meehan was removed from the house ethics committee over allegations of misconduct. the "new york times" reports meehan used thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to settle a complaint by a former aide. the woman reportedly claimed meehan became hostile after she rejected his romantic advances. meehan has denied the allegations. the ethics committee is investigating. missouri governor eric greitens has kept a low profile since the cbs affiliate in st. louis earlier this month reported that he had an extramarital affair. greitens spoke to reporters this weekend. meg oliver has details. >> there was no violence. >> reporter: in his first interview since admitting to an extramarital affair, missouri governor eric greitens denied allegations of blackmail. >> there was no threat of blackmail. there was no threat of a photographing blackmail, those things are absolutely false. >> reporter: greitens admits he had an affair with his hairdresser before he became governor in 2017. but he says was consensual. >> there was no hush money, there was no violence. >> re

meehan release aid letter he wrote to the woman in may after he learn she had begun a relationship with someone outside his office. signingi thank god for witt all my heart, patricktimes reports meehan whose tile. you did not turn hostile to her when you found outhe outsid? that is the claim. >> that is the agree that is substantiated, that is why i'm here milking sure people was never hostile to her. >> you cannot do that sort of t. >> he should resign, forget it >> reporter: meehan says money he paid woman was severance pay for good work. he said wow reimburse taxpayers if the ethics committee determines any wrongdoing. meehan's new fifth member of the congress to resign or not run for reelection, amid sexual harassment andonct e and alex. >> all right, jenny. >>> 6:34. >>> man accused of killing four young men then buried their bodies on the bucks county farm this past summer have a trial day. jury selection for cosmo dinardo and his cousin sean kratz beginstrial will begin onr 7th in bucks county, the four men murder charges that disappeared last summer. >>> in mercer examiner's investigating how a man died in etaning bed. it happened at crunch hamilton,, pol

patrick meehan used taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment complaint.mer aide accuse the republican a making unwanted sexual advances. she says he became hostile after she rejected him. meehan reportedly used thousands of dollars from his congressional office wants to settle the complaint. ryan is also ordered an investigation. the married father of three denies any wrongdoing. this country's deadly flu epidemic has killed at least 30 children since october. that is according to the centers for disease control. the cdc says the flu season hasn't even peaked yet. in texas the flu outbreak is so severe that one school district has canceled classes through tuesday. i'm marianne rafferty, now back to "watters' world". it didn't right, because i don't want to believe those kinds of things could be happening in this country that i call home and love so much. >> four pages. you knew as soon as you read them. is this happening in america or is this the kgb? that's how alarming this is. >> i believe there will be people who go to jail. jesse: fox news is hearing

. >>> happening right now, pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan says he regrets not going to court to clear his name. the congressman under fire for using tax paying dollars to settle a sexual harass many case. our jeff cole sat down with meehan. i understand he also has regrets about signing that confidentiality agreement, jeff? >> he does, thomas. 62-year-old married father of three meehan wishes he fought it out in court claiming he's done nothing wrong. he says he'll pay back the tax dollars if he's found to have been in the wrong. >> are you trying to retaliate against her, hurt her now. >> not in one shape or other. this is a person i care about deeply. >> reporter: but facing a serious threat to his public career, meehan is striking back claiming he's been attacked and falsely accused of sexual harassment. >> and looking back on it, i should have litigated this. >> you're saying you didn't do anything wrong. >> i should have litigated that case. but i felt that that was not going to end up in a good place for her. >> reporter: instead, accused of being hostile to a long-time

this because this is a new developing story, and end of the line for pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan who has decided he will not seek reelection after all, after protests and major pressure. lets get right to jenny joyce to explain, jenny? >> reporter: good morning, karen, yeah, congressman pat meehan announced his retirement coming amid allegations that he used thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to settle a claim with a former staffer, of sexual harassment, new york times broke this story last week, this week our jeff cole sat down with the four term republican congressman who admitted to developing a close relationship with a former aid , three decade younger then he but that relationship was not romantic according to meehan who release aid letter he wrote to the woman in may after he learn that she had begun a relationship with someone outside of his office. writing quote, i thank god for putting you into my life, signing witt all my heart, patrick. the new york times reports that meehan became whose style >> did you not turn whose style to her when you found out she had an ou

. >>> patrick meehan will not seek re-election. the pennsylvania republican under fire for using taxpayer dollars to pay off a former staff member who accused him of sexual harassment. he said he felt a deep affection for his accuser. he saw her as a soul mate, but never pursued a romantic relationship. she insists he did. he will repay the funds if the house ethics committee found he harassed the woman. the story getting attention this week. decades younger than he was. worked with him as an aide. he had developed by his own admission these feelings for her that they were somehow life partners and work partners. women really were just appalled and saying look the younger women who work for you don't want to be your soul mate. they want to work. >> not just say you won't run -- the longer you hang around. >>> walmart looking to japan for help. cnn money stream is next. we do whatever it takes to fight cancer. these are the specialists we're proud to call our own. experts from all over the world, working closely together to deliver

for the first time, pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan is speaking out about the misconduct allegations against him. according to "the new york times," meehan used taxpayer money to settle a complaint by a former aid. he was removed from the ethics committee, ordered him to repay the taxpayer dollars. >> lauren mayk just spoke with the congressman about those allegations. >> she's joining us live from delaware county with what he this h to say. >> reporter: this has to do with a woman who was working in his office who was in a new relationship and was going to be leaving his office and leaving the country. the congressman tells us that they went out to ice cream. he wanted to talk to her about his feelings about the changes in her life, but he says he did not make romantic overtures to her and denies those allegations. now congressman meehan says money paid to her was a severance. he also says it was within the guidelines at the time for members of congress. however, paul ryan said he should pay back that money and he has removed congressman meehan from from the ethics committee. here's

your time knew 6:16 if you're just waking up with us, pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan is the subject of a new investigation launched by the house ethics committee. house speaker paul ryan order that investigation. according to the times just last year, a former aide accused meehan of making unwanted advances towards her. his office denies those allegations. meehan is also being removed from his position on the ethics committee. democrats issuing a statement calling for meehan to drop his re-election bid. >> the government shutdown is now in its second day and it is hours away from taking a serious turn. nearly 1 million federal employees will be furloughed if know deal is reached before tomorrow. >> democrats blame the republicans and republicans blame the democrats. a number of iconic landmarks including the statue of liberty are shut down. at valley forge national park visitors may enter but all buildings within the park including the restrooms are closed and independence hall and liberty center are also closed. >>> if nld thousands of people took part in the women's march

. >>> patrick meehan announcing he will not seek reelection this year.espite the fact that he serves on the house ethics committee. meehan said he viewed the woman as a soul mate, but contrary to her claims, he said he never pursued a romantic relationship with her. >>> the kentucky high school where two students were killed will reopen this morning as we learn heartbreaking new details about the victims's final moments. the mother of 15-year-old bailey holt, one of the students killed, said she kept trying to reach out to her daughter as soon as she heard the news of the rampage. in one of her final acts of her young life, she said bailey called her back. >> all i could hear was voices and chaos in the background. she couldn't say anything. i called her name over and over and over and she didn't respond. they took my baby from me. >> preston taupe died at the hospital. 16 others wounded, including bailey's first boyfriend. he was shot in the face but has survived. the unidentified 15-year-old suspect is charged with two counts of murder and 12 counts of

republican pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan admitting he used taxpayer money to settle a claimpressed his romantic desires to his aide after she began a serious relationship with someone else and grew hostile when she did not resip proindicate. >> he says they were soul mates and philadelphia inquirer interviewed congressman meehan for 40 minutes. this was a remarkable interview. read every word of it. that's my recommendation to everyone out there. he tried to explain his feelings for his aide and he said, i was happilyarried man and not interested in a relationship, particularly not any sexual relationship but we were soul mates. i think the idea of soul mate is that sort of person you go through remarkable experiences together. he didn't see this as inappropriate? i think it hasn't played well with people waiting to hear his side of the story and the initial rorkeports that there a more facts to come out. that quote in particular robrub a lot of people the wrong way. it was meant to be exkul pa tri, that this was innocent affection, i don't think a lot of people are reading

republican congressman patrick meehan says he won't run for re-election after being scrutinized for alleged inappropriate behavior with a female aide. meehan settled the sexual harassment complaint with taxpayer money. he denies the allegations. in a letter to his campaign chairman obtained by the "philadelphia inquirer," meehan writes, it is clear to me that under the current conditions, any campaign i would run would not be decided over vital issues but likely devolve into an ugly harsh rhetoric. meehan admitted he had a close relationship with the aide, but the letter he wrote to her was mischaracterized. >> i said, go for it. i want you to know that i'm here for that. that's been turned as a love letter, that somehow i have been, you know, harassing because i'm writing love letters. i was writing a letter to say, i love the idea that you have found this new relationship. and even though it hurts me that we're going to be separated, and even though i'm struggling with the idea that having you with me is something i need to make sure i always keep professional. >> this is a boss writing a

representative patrick meehan will not stand for re-elect. he'll back away from a long career in public life but there's still more change possible in his district where court ruling may cause more upheaval. media delaware county is a community of small restaurants, affordable housing and retailing much it's the county seat and the heart of the seventh congress shaat district now fa facing upheaval with meehan's departure. >> he's seeing what's going on on tv. he doesn't want his name run through the mud like everybody else's. so he's backing out quietly. >> reporter: he's backing out but it wasn't quiet. meehan's political death spiral began saturday with a revelation he'd spent tax dollars to settle a sexual harassment claim by a decade's younger female staff. he compounded his troubles and interviews tuesday by claiming the woman had become his soulmate and was forced to defend claims he'd turn hostile when she rejected his romantic interest. >> you did not turn hostile to her when you found out that she had an outside boyfriend? that's th

. >> we're following breaking news for you now as republican pennsylvania representative patrick meehanccused of using taxpayer money to settle sexual harrassment complaint. this is according to new york times. the story sites unnamed people who say that meehan used thousands of dollars from his congressional office fund to set the complaint that complaint was reportedly from a former aid who rejected his romantic advances. now, house speaker paul ryan has removed meehan from the house ethics committee and is calling for an investigation. meehan is denying the claims. >> georgia state trooper saves a woman's life after she has a medical emergency while driving. after seeing an s.u.v. driving irradically coming up behind him, the trooper, asher gray, did something that he had been taught but had never done before. a technique usually used on bad guys, this night, was used to save a woman's life. the trooper says he jumped in the cruiser, in his cruiser, and then he used his car to push the woman's suv to safety. >> i could see through the front windshield that she was actually having con

morning we have been telling you the story, it is a national story, pennsylvania congressman patrick meehandmitted that he used our money our taxpayer money to settlement a sexual harassment complaint. interesting about this, he called the other woman. he is married and has a family and all that. she's a staffer, an aid to him as a congressman. he said they have developed a real close relationship, he said it wasn't sexual, physical but he says that he felt like she was his soul mate. >> listen to this quote. he told philly.com he told the aid that i was happily married man, i was not interested in a relationship particularly not any sexual relationship but we're soul mates. i think idea of the soul mate that is a person you get through remarkable experiencing together. um-hmm. we thought that was not romantic, not sexual but you are my soul mate. >> we will discuss after we hear from himself. >> the nature of the feelings, one in which there is an emotional connection and an attraction but i have also said romantic partner that i have in my life is my wife. i explicitly stated i'm not inte

. >> republican congressman from pennsylvania patrick meehan admitting he used taxpayer money to settleduct claim filed against him by a former aide. meehan, a married father of three, told "the philadelphia inquirer," he saw the much younger woman as his, quote, soul mate, adding that when he found out she was dating someone else, he didn't act the best. cnn's m.j. lee is with us following this story. what else do we know about the contact he had with this woman? >> what's stunning is that we know quite a bit about the interactions the congressman says he that wihad with this fo aide, even though he signed a confidentiality agreement with this woman, he's now speaking out sense that story first broke. he says that he developed a deep affection for this former aide, and that he basically considered her his soul mate even though he denies the allegations of sexual harassment. he said that he is happily married and was never interested in and did not pursue a sexual or romantic relationship. but at the same time that he's saying all of this, he also acknowledges that when he found out tha

pennsylvania republican congressman patrick meehan is the subject of a new investigation launched bye house ethics committee. house speaker paul ryan ordered that investigation after the new york times reported that meehan used thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment allegation. now according to the times, last year a former aide accused meehan of making unwanted romantic advances towards her. his office released a statement denying the allegation. meehan is also being removed from his position on the ethics committee. the democrats issuing a statement calling from meehan to drop his re-election bid. >> the government shutdown is in his second day and it is hours away from taking a very serious turn. nearly 1 million federal employees will be furloughed if no deal with reached before tomorrow. the returns blame the democrats and the democrats blame the republicans. they draw the line. a number of iconic landmarks including the statue of liberty are shut down. >>> at valley forge national park visitors may enter but all buildings within the park including

. >> pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan says he regrets not going to court to clear his name.gressman is under fire for using taxpayer dollars to settle a sexual harassment case. fox 29's jeff cole sat down with meehan and he told jeff that's not the only thing he regrets in this situation. >> reporter: are you trying to retaliate against her, hurt her now. >> not in one shape or other. this is a person i care about deeply. >> reporter: in pear peril of loslosing his public claim meehn claims he's and falsely accused of sexual harassment facing claims he made unwanted overtures to an aide he paid err her thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds in severance he says not a settlement. >> have you ever paid severance before for anybody in your office? >> short ones? report ones? what does that mean? >> advice was given and i took the advice. >> reporter: days after the story broke, the former top prosecutor sat for interviews tuesday saying the much younger aid had become his soulmate. >> i have feelings that were generated in that. i said an attraction. >> so did you have romantic

it is congressman patrick meehan following "the new york times" report he settled a complaint of a former aide last year using his congressional office fund. meehan who obviously led a house ethics committee panel on sexual harassment denied an hassling the aide describing her as a soul mate. he is now the eighth member of congress to either resign or announce they will not run for re-election in the wake of accusations of appropriate conduct. another me too story today, "the new york times" reporting in 2008, hillary clinton retained her campaign spiritual adviser after evers accused of harassment. quoting the times, her clinton manager at the time recommended she fire the adviser bern strider but she did not. instead, mr. strider was docked several weeks of pay and order odd undergo counseling and the young woman moved to a new job. then there is more on this front today because arguably, the most powerful republican party donor in the country, steve wynn, is being accused of sexual misconduct over several decades in a story that has 150 sources according to "the wall street journal." t

. >>> pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan urging congress to extent the children's hell insuranceam you might know it as chip. meehan stopped by the chop primary clinic in springfield to talk with doctors about the importance of this program. it was set to expire on september 30th but was short term funding it now goes until march. meehan hopes to have congress extend that program for ten years. >> got to break through no matter what's happening on the rest of these issues. chip cannot be a bargaining chip. the efforts to make sure that we deliver quality care for working families and their children. >> the children's health insurance program covers more than 180,000 children in pennsylvania. >>> ♪ >>> if you watched last night you know our chris o'connell spent a few years behind enemy lines in minnesota with days until the nfc championship against the vikings we decided to send chris back to the frozen tundra. chris is at philadelphia international airport right now preparing for night. chris, i'm guessing you might be bringing some tastykakes to the twin cities. >> reporter: i

i want to ask about one of your former colleagues on the ethics committee, patrick meehan. he had to step down because of this inappropriate relationship that he had, i don't know if relationship is the right word. he sexually harassed an underling on his staff and then paid her with office funds, i.e., taxpayer money. she had to leave her job. why does he still have a job? >> i believe that this is a matter that will come before the ethics committee. i believe that the congressman has self referred this to the ethics committee and therefore they will be examining it and i will be a part of that because i am one of the members. there are five republicans and five democrats and because congressman meehan has left, a new republican will have to be appointed to the ethics committee. i want to ensure the public through your program, alisyn, that the ethics committee works in a by part san capacity and we will examine this and all other matters that come before us. >> from what you've heard would be paying an underling who you sexually harassed, would that be a violation of ethi

congressman patrick meehan. he was tossed off the ethics committee because he was having an affair with a staffer. he used office funds to pay her. he says he's not going anywhere. does the rnc stand behind congressman meehan? >> there is an investigation going on there as well. we will get to the bottom of that. i need to see more details on that. he's been removed. and paul ryan is hamming that. listen, i'm going to be out there working to keep majorities in the senate and the house. i know our country is in a better place under president trump and republican leadership than it was. just yesterday with bonuses for verizon. all of these things are happening in our country 17-year unemployment, jobs coming back. things are good. we'll let the voters make decisions as to who is best to represent them. >> right now does the rnc stand behind congressman meehan? >> we will let the investigations take place. we will see everything happen through the ethics investigation. it is too early to say. we'll let the voters d

. >>> house speaker paul ryan removing republican congressman patrick meehan from the ethics committeend ordering he be investigated after saying is he used money to settle a sexual assault complaint. she eventually left her job. meehan denies the allegations. >>> right now vice president mike pence is in jerusalem about to address israeli lawmakers. the trump administration is of course preparing amid all of this moves towards jerusalem. live in jerusalem with more. what are we expecting to hear from the vice president? >> well, this will very much be the victory lap for vice president mike pence after a swing through jordan and a swing through egypt. here he was greeted as the man of the hour. we don't expect anything out of the ordinary. what we expect is reaffirmation between the bond between israel and the united states, between benjamin netanyahu and president trump. we expect pence to talk about moving the embassy. that is expected to happen sometime in the next year or so. and then we expect pence to say trump is committed to a two-state solution and a peace process. that is so

. >> let's remember, too, there are a couple members of congress, republicans, including patrick meehan, this week, who has announced he will not seek re-election, as he faces allegations and the revelation that he paid a settlement to one of his former staffers who accused him of sexual misconduct. we also have, of course, blake farenthold, who continues to serve, also not running for re-election, who also paid a settlement. john conyers and al franken, they were forced out. is there any pressure right now that you know of on capitol hill by their own party for them to resign? >> there doesn't appear to be. when house speaker paul ryan has been asked why he doesn't believe blake farenthold shouldn't resign immediately, he says he thinks it's appropriate he won't run for re-election. for democrats, the reason they felt compelled to push out al franken and john conyers is they wanted to be able to reclaim the high ground. they have positioned themselves as a party that advocates on behalf of women, that believes women and stands up for them. given, of course, the focus that they have pla

patrick meehan settled a former aide's complaint with taxpayer money.e denied the allegations but then told the philly inquirer he had a deep sfaeaffection for th younger aide and saw her as a soul mate. meehan tells his campaign chairman no characterization of the work relationship i shared with a uniquely close colleague would could have been more personally harmful. i truly didn't even consider or understand the full implications of the use of that term. and it is not just the world of politics where allegations of sexual abuse or harassment are making headlines. the michigan state athletic director is giving his resignation in the wake of dr. nassar. there could be an investigation in congress and a big protest is planned tonight at michigan state. we'll be back with a survivor of nassar's abuse right after the break. many of 'em? we don't know. dozens. all right! let's teach these freaks some manners! good luck out there, captain! thanks! but i don't need luck, i have skills... i don't have my keys. (on intercom) all hands. we are looking for the c

. >>> republican congressman patrick meehan has said he acknowledged that he did see her as his soul mate. according to "the philadelphia inquirer," the 62 lawmakers revealed he developed an affection for his younger aide, but after he found out she was in a serious relationship with another man, he says he reacted poorly. meehan later wrote her a letter complimenting the aide saying you are kind and sensitive and caring and infectious with your laugh. you are and have been a complete partner to me and you have brought me much happiness. let's bring in the reporter who interviewed congressman meehan, jonathan tamari. what sort of vibe did you get from the congressman there? did he understand that he might have crossed the line? >> no, in fact, this was his defense. he was saying that he was trying to keep things above board, that he was hoping by expressing these feelings he would prevent them from being going somewhere inappropriate. to him this was his argument for why he didn't necessarily do anything wrong or commit sexual harassment and should continue in office and continue run

. >>> and congressman patrick meehan will not seek re-election in the state of pennsylvania. republican is under serious fire for using taxpayer money to settle a former female aide sexual harassment complaint. >>> and nbc news has learned mitt romney is moving closer to launching a senate bid in the state of utah. his top advisers met earlier this week to plot his next steps. >>> and the flu season is so bad right now it is forcing an entire school district in florida to cancel classes today. gulf district schools in the panhandle are closed to try and contain the spread of the virus. >>> and america is open for business. well, in the last hour, president trump is taking his america first agenda to the world stage in his first speech at the world economic forum in davos, switzerland. take a listen. >> i'm here to deliver a simple message. there's never been a better time to hire, to build, to invest and to grow in the united states. america is open for business and we are competitive once again. america first does not mean america alone. when the united states grows, so does

pennsylvania republican patrick meehan said he is no longer running for re-election.ision comes less than a week after the house ethics committee announced it would investigate a sexual harassment complaint by a former aide and whether he settled that complaint with taxpayer money. the married father of three called the former aide a soul mate and admitted to lashing out when he learned that she was dating another man. we'll be right back. for 100 yea, heritage and innovation have made gillette the #1 shave in america. now get gillette quality at lower prices -- every day. brought to you by 1200 workers in boston -- we're proud of giving you our best. gillette. the best a man can get. i've got a nice long life ahead. big plans. so when i found out medicare doesn't pay all my medical expenses, i looked at my options. then i got a medicare supplement insurance plan. [ male announcer ] if you're eligible for medicare, you may know it only covers about 80% of your part b medical expenses. the rest is up to you. call now and find out about an aarp medicare supplement insur

republican pennsylvania congressman patrick meehan is the subject of a new investigation by the housethics committee. paul ryan ordered that investigation after the new york times reported that meehan used thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment allegation. now according to the times, an aide accused meehan of making unwanted romantic advances towards her. his office released a statement denying those allegations. meehan is also being removed from his position on the ethics committee. >>> the federal government shutdown is ending its second day with no end in sight. each side of the aisle blaming the other. democrats have drown a line in the sand for a funding measure that includes a fix for the 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the u.s. as children. meanwhile a number of iconic landmarks including the statue of liberty closed while lawmakers fight over this budget. >> millions of people took to the streets in the second women's march. from washington, d.c. to los angeles and in small towns and cities, women and the men and children who support th

signed sincerely, patrick meehan, member of congress. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the resignation is accepted. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from north carolina seek recognition? ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. by direction of the house republican conference, i send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 710, resolved, that the following named member be and is hereby elected to the following standing committee of the house of representatives. committee on ethics, mr. ratcliffe. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the resolution is agreed to and the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. pursuant to clause 12-a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess subject to the call of the chair. >> they gaveled in at noon about the time the senate started its vote. the vote under way on the senate floor. it has gotten the 60 votes that were needed to limit debate, that's a clo

. >>> patrick meehan is speak, out following a report he used taxpayer dollars to settle a sexual assaultnt. >> sabina is joining us with how he's defends himself >> he's talking a lot. he sat down with jeff cole and talked about the allegations. they apparently come from he hasn't's former long-time aid. and sounds like she was one of his top staffer to say close to a decade. she said he came on to her romantically and got angry when she did not reciprocate so much so that she eventually left her job. the congressman insists he did not sexually harass her but that he did pay her as part of a severance agreement and not as a settlement for her claim. that money, according both sides, came out of the public funds. it was lined with house rules. the allegations first surfaced in the "new york times" article. the married father of three said his attachment to the aid did not corroboration any boundary >> i also said a romantic partner that i had in my life is my wife and i explicitly stated i'm not interested in a relationship. >> the times article said the aid was traumatized after trying t

why this isn't the only problem patrick meehan's district is dealing with. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ voters are rattledstrict as the changes just keep happening. long-time congressman pat meehan now says he will not seek re-election a mid scandal and the district itself is ruled unconstitutional. a lot going on there. fox 29's jeff cole has more. >> reporter: media, delaware county, is a community of small restaurants, affordable housing and retailing. it's the county seat and the heart of the seventh congressional district now fac facing upheaval with meehan's departure. >> easies what's going on on tv. he doesn't want his name run through the mud like everybody else's. so he's just backing out quietly. >> reporter: he's backing out but it it wasn't quiet. meehan's political death spiral began saturday with a revelation he'd spent tax dollars to settle a sexual harassment claim by a decade's younger female staff. he compounded his troubles and interviews tuesday by claiming the woman had become his soulmate and was forced to defend claims he'd turn hostile when she rejected his romantic interest. >> y