Hoyer: Wu resignation talk is ‘premature’

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer on Tuesday rejected the notion that Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) should step down over concerns about his mental health.

{mosads}The Maryland Democrat said mental illness should be treated no differently than physical ailments. Noting that Wu is seeking medical help, Hoyer told reporters at the Capitol that “discussion of resignation is premature.”

Wu has generated headlines in recent weeks over episodes of bizarre behavior late last year, including an incident where he sent his staff a photo of himself dressed as a tiger. The episodes set off alarms within his office, and six staffers quit after Wu was reelected in November.

Hoyer said he has spoken with neither Wu nor his staff about the reports, but he trusts medical science to enable the Oregon Democrat to continue his duties on Capitol Hill. 

“He has said he is seeking mental health services, and that’s the appropriate step for him to take,” Hoyer said. “You have a broken arm, you get it fixed. I believe that mental illness and physical illness both are treatable, and we ought to treat them both as illnesses.”

Hoyer said he’s directed his office to determine if Wu needs additional help. But talks of resignation, he was quick to add, “are not appropriate at this point in time.”