Fossella returns to the House

Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) is returning to Washington Tuesday after enduring a long weekend full of rumors about an impending resignation and reports that he was in hiding on Staten Island.

Fossella spokeswoman Susan Del Percio said the lawmaker would fly back to Washington, D.C., Tuesday afternoon, return to his congressional office in the Rayburn building and cast votes in the evening.

{mosads}Fossella has not addressed continued rumors about his future, which have swirled wildly since he issued a lone public statement in which he admitted to having an extramarital affair with retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Laura Fay and to fathering her now 3-year-old child.

In that Thursday statement, the New York Republican said only that he was sorry for his “personal failings and imperfections” — which include not only his affair and out-of-wedlock child but also a May 1 DUI arrest that prompted his broader disclosure about his long-running relationship with Fay.

“While I understand that there will be many questions, including those about my political future, making any political decisions right now are furthest from my mind,” Fossella said at the time. “Over the coming weeks and months, I will continue to do my job and I will work hard to heal the deep wounds I have caused.”

Del Percio on Tuesday again indicated that Fossella would continue to work — perhaps indefinitely — despite continued calls for his resignation and unrelenting rumors that he may step down.

She would not say, though, when Fossella will answer questions about his intentions.

“Again, he has not made a decision yet, and will do so on his own timetable,” she said.