$260. after the charges were revealed, radel said i m profoundly sorry to let down my family, particularly my wife and son and the people of southwest florida. i struggle with a disease on alcoholism and this led to an extremely irresponsible choice. look, in my short time here, i love what i did. reporter: he s developed a reputation of a man who likes to let loose. talking points memo had pictures of him tridrinking and living large. he s considered a hip-hop critic. public enemy s song fight the power to deal with congress. the republican house leadership was careful saying radel needs to focus on his family and get well. melanie sloan of the citizens for responsibility and ethics washington says he needs to go. trey radel needs to resign.
listen, the house will continue to do our oversight of the executive branch as we re required to do under the constitution. we re going to continue to get answers to what why people are losing their health insurance and why it s costing some more. in terms of legislationive action, no decisions have been made. mr. speaker no, no, no, no. hold on. you. congressman radel is pleading guilty to possession of cocaine. he met with you the day he was charged. what did you tell him and do you think he can still serve as a member of congress? well, listen, as you all know, i believe that members of congress should be held to the highest ethical standard. i think at this point mr. radel, the issues between he and his family and his constituents.
with federal prosecutors in a statement yesterday, radel apologized saying he struggles with alcoholism. he s only been in washington for over ten months, apparently long enough to establish drug connections. he was busted during a string operation after a dealer ratted him out. joe johns has details. reporter: saying nothing, the florida congressman headed in to face charges, his guilty plea weeks after trey raid l was caught in a sting operation in october. the drug enforcement administration setting him up after learning about illegal activities from an arrested drug dealer. a law enforcement source said here on due month circle in the heart of washington d.c. radel told the men he had drugs back at his apartment and invited them over and they declined. the undercover officer said he had drugs to sale. they agreed on a price and came here on the street. price he paid for the drugs
reporter: well, craig, the u.s. attorney s office has said that in the district of columbia it s typical for a first-type drug offend toer to get one yea probation as the congressman did. we spoke to another law enforcement officer said why they would have gone back to the congressman s place and talked with him and found that vial of cocaine as court documents allege in that home, and there are several reasons. one, this was an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, and news of his arrest would compromise that. we just don t know at this point. another question is is he a flight risk? chances are probably snot, crai. the congressman, did not get any special treatment. gabe gutierrez, live for us from florida. can chris christie save 2016 and beyond.
some developing news right now. the senate banking committee just approved janet yellen to be the head. her nomination will go to the senate for a final vote. yellen is currently number two at the federal reserve. ben bernanke s expires. republican congressman trey radel is now on a leave of absence from congress. he is expected to check himself into rehab today. in an emotional news conference late last night radel said he was sorry and that he had no excuse after that cocaine bust. i m not going to sit here and try to make any excuses for what i ve done. i ve let down our country. i ve let down our constituents. i ve let down my family. i have been getting the help that i need and i will continue to get the help that i need. i want to be a better man for