Congressman seeks ethics rule regarding interns

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A fellow member of Congress strongly criticized Rep. Gary Condit Thursday for his conduct in the investigation of the disappearance of former intern Chandra Levy, and said he would ask the House ethics committee to draft a rule making it clear that sexual relationships between interns and members of Congress are unethical.

Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colorado, said he will ask the House Standards of Official Conduct Committee Friday to write such a regulation, in part to restore honor to Congress and to interns as well.

EXTRA INFORMATION Key Players     VIDEO With Chandra Levy dominating headlines, what motivates people to become government interns? CNN's Jason Bellini intends to find out (July 26) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Condit, 53, admitted to police he had a romantic relationship with Levy, 24, but the admission did not come until two months after she disappeared, sources said. Publicly, Condit has only said the two were good friends.

McInnis said the California Democrat went too far in his relationship with Levy.

"He has crossed the line and we've got to have the gumption to say 'Enough is enough,' " he said in an interview on CNN's Wolf Blitzer Reports. "We have to assure this nation that this (Congress) is an institution of honor, and that our interns are not back here for the lovemaking purposes of U.S. congressmen."

When asked if Condit should resign, McInnis said, "In my opinion, he should, yes."

McInnis' call for Condit's resignation comes after Rep. Bob Barr, R-Georgia, and Sen. Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, also called for Condit to step down.

Rep. Charles , D-Texas, said earlier this week that Condit has brought discredit to Congress, which, as defined in an Ethics committee manual, is a violation of House rules.

McInnis, a former police officer, also criticized the D.C. Metropolitan Police for their handling of the case, saying they should have pressed Condit from the beginning to tell what he knew.

"I think the only reason that he's spoken (to police) at this point is the press, the media pressure," he said.