Top House Democrat facing sexual misconduct allegations has been hospitalized for a stress-related illness

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

John Conyers.

• Democratic Rep. John Conyers has been hospitalized amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct.
• The illness is reportedly stress-related.
• Conyers is the longest-serving member of Congress, first elected in 1964.

Democratic Rep. John Conyers, the longest-serving member of Congress, has been hospitalized with a stress-related illness amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct, CBS Detroit reported Thursday.

Conyers's spokesperson Sam Riddle said Thursday that the 88-year-old, who has served in Congress for more than 50 years, is currently seeking treatment, though he did not specify the ailment.

Though Conyers has stepped down from his post as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, he has so far refused calls to resign. A local Detroit outlet reported Wednesday that Conyers would not seek reelection in 2018.

The controversy began last week when BuzzFeed News reported that Conyers settled a 2015 complaint with a female staffer for more than $27,000 after she alleged she was fired for refusing his sexual advances. More women have come forward since to make similar allegations.

Conyers is currently facing an investigation in the House Ethics Committee. Just a small handful of Democrats have publicly called for the longtime Detroit-area congressman to step down from his seat.