Rep. Tom Reed Resigns, Moving On to K Street

WASHINGTON — Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., resigned from Congress Tuesday, nearly a year after he announced he would not seek reelection in 2022 owing in part to accusations of sexual midsconduct made against him.

In a statement read on the floor of the House Tuesday and later provided to The Well News by his office, Reed said he continues to love Congress because “it still exemplifies what is best about our government, [as] we are the people’s House.”

“While I am proud that we put people before politics, there is much more to do,” he continued, closing the curtain on 12 years in office. “I am leaving to continue that work and hope to have a greater impact on our country.”

The news release said Reed, who represented New York’s 23rd Congressional District, will join Prime Policy Group, a lobbying firm.

Reed, a soft-spoken, moderate Republican, often crossed the aisle to help Democrats advance their agenda in the 116th Congress. 

In March 2021, however, his reputation was tarnished when a female lobbyist accused him of misconduct.

His accuser, Nicolette Davis, told The Washington Post that Reed massaged her, unclipped her bra and put his hand on her thigh while at an Irish pub in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reed apologized for his behavior, revealing in the process that he had received treatment for alcoholism and would not be running for a seventh term.

He also stepped down from his position as Republican co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which he had helped found.

“Upon entering treatment in 2017, I recognized that I am powerless over alcohol,” he said at the time. “I am now approaching four years of that personal lifelong journey of recovery. With the support of my wife, kids and loved ones, professional help, and trust in a higher power, I continue that journey day by day. 

“This is in no way an excuse for anything I’ve done. Consistent with my recovery, I publicly take ownership of my past actions, offer this amends and humbly apologize again to Ms. Davis, my wife and kids, loved ones, and to all of you,” he said.

At the time he also vowed “to help those wrestling with addiction in any way I can. To others who may be struggling the way I have, please know that by seeking help your life will be forever changed in an extremely positive way. Though the journey is hard, please know the rewards are amazing and you are worth it.”

In his floor speech Tuesday, Reed said, “I believe the current focus on extremism demands us to heed the words of Abraham Lincoln uttered years ago as we face a similar threat to our existence today — ‘a house divided cannot stand!’ But I add — a house united will not fail.  

“It is time for petty political posturing to end,” he continued. “Leadership must emerge. And in God I trust. His divine protection will extend again if only we acknowledge and accept His love and the divine spark that exists in each of us as citizens of our great nation.”

Reed thanked his family, without whose “love and support,” he said, “I am nothing.”

“My most profound appreciation is for the people of Western New York,” he said in closing. “Thank you for giving a country lawyer, the youngest of 12, raised by a single mother whose father passed away when she was only two, the honor of representing you at the highest level. Only in America can such a dream come true.”

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue