Israel: 'Begin An Investigation' of Rep. Weiner

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, D- Huntington, supports an ethics investigation of Rep. Anthony Weiner, after Weiner confessed to sending sexually suggestive photos to women through social media.

Israel, who is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Weiner engaged in "a deep personal failure and embarrassed himself, his family and the House," but did not explicitly say Weiner should resign.

"Ultimately, Anthony and his constituents will make a judgment about his future," Israel said in a statement. "To remove all remaining doubt about this situation, I agree with Leader Pelosi's request that the House Ethics Committee use its authority to begin an investigation."

At a press conference on Monday, Weiner admitted to "engaging in communications" with women on Facebook and Twitter both before and after he was married.

Weiner, a six-term Democrat representing parts of Queens and Brooklyn, had earlier told the media that the lewd photo was sent by a hacker.