Fossella mum on future, GOP mum on reelection cash

Embattled GOP Rep. Vito Fossella (N.Y.) returned to Washington Tuesday, but shed absolutely no light on his future.

Fossella returned to his congressional office in the Rayburn building at approximately 2 p.m., where he was met by a crowd of reporters and camera crews.

Walking briskly with a lone aide, Fossella sped by reporters and disappeared into his office, saying nothing and refusing to answer questions about conflicting rumors that he may resign or that he has already indicated that he intends to run for reelection.

A Fossella spokeswoman in New York City, Susan Del Percio, remained tightlipped on when Fossella may speak publicly once again.

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

Fossella was dogged all weekend by unrelenting reports in the New York City tabloids that his resignation was imminent and that he was in hiding at his sister’s garage apartment on Staten Island. After being arrested nearly two weeks ago for drunk driving, Fossella admitted to an affair and an out-of-wedlock child.

House Republican leaders on Tuesday refused to go beyond the brief statement they made on Monday saying that Fossella’s future remains a matter “between him, his family and his constituents,” according to a leadership aide.

They also said nothing about whether Fossella will remain in the Regain Our Majority Program (ROMP), a list of Republican congressional candidates who have been targeted for additional Democratic gains in the House and who have been determined to be in need of fundraising dollars from GOP donors.

Fossella was one of the 10 Republican House members on the ROMP list circulated by Minority Leader John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) office last month.