GOP Congressman Doolittle Says He Won't Resign

April 20, 2007
GOP Congressman Doolittle Says He Won't Resign

WASHINGTON - A day after stepping down from a House committee amid news that his home was searched by the FBI, Rep. John Doolittle on Friday proclaimed his innocence and vowed to stay in Congress and seek re-election.

The California Republican, a nine-term incumbent under scrutiny in the Jack Abramoff congressional corruption scandal, also said he will seek the House Ethics Committee's permission to establish a legal fund to raise money for his defense. Doolittle agreed Thursday to resign his coveted spot on the House Appropriations Committee temporarily.

"I have no intention of resigning from Congress and I have every intention of running for re-election again," Doolittle told reporters from his district in a conference call.