WASHINGTON, June 13 (Reuters) – The U.S. Sergeant at Arms Office confirmed on Monday that the Senate’s website had been hacked this past weekend and that it has ordered a review of all Senate computer sites.

“Although this intrusion is inconvenient, it does not compromise the security of the Senate’s network, its members or staff,” a Sergeant at Arms Office official said. “Specifically, there is no individual user account information on the server supporting senate.gov that could have been compromised.”

The revelation came after a loosely aligned group of computer hackers calling themselves Lulz Security said they broke into the U.S. Senate’s computer network.

Lulz Security, who have hacked into Sony’s website and the U.S. Public Broadcasting System, posted online a list of files that appear not to be sensitive but indicate the hackers had been into the Senate’s computer network.

“We don’t like the US government very much,” Lulz Security said at the top of their release. “This is a small, just-for-kicks release of some internal data from Senate.gov - is this an act of war, gentlemen? Problem?”

The comment refers to reports that the U.S. military had decided that it could respond to cyber attacks from foreign countries with traditional military force.

Senate staffers asked about the hack were unaware of it.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House Monday ramped up pressure on Democratic lawmaker Anthony Weiner to resign, calling his Internet sex scandal a distraction from the work that needs to be done in Washington.

“Congressman Weiner has said himself — his behavior was inappropriate, his dishonesty was inappropriate,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

Weiner, 46, Saturday defied mounting calls from party leaders to resign after his belated admission that he sent online messages and lewd photos of himself to at least a half dozen women and had lied about it.

The congressman said through an aide over the weekend that rather than immediately step down he would instead seek a leave of absence from Congress and treatment at an undisclosed facility before deciding what to do.

“We think this is a distraction obviously from the important business that this president needs to conduct and Congress needs to conduct,” Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Barack Obama headed to North Carolina to talk to business leaders about invigorating the economy.

With unemployment at 9.1 percent, Obama has been struggling to convince Americans his policies are pulling the economy out of the doldrums.

Monday’s trip was part of a stepped-up effort by the White House to show voters that Obama remains focused on job creation. But the Weiner story has dominated cable news networks and newspaper front pages.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Monday ramped up pressure on Democratic lawmaker Anthony Weiner to resign, calling his Internet sex scandal a distraction from the work that needs to be done in Washington.

“Congressman Weiner has said himself — his behaviour was inappropriate, his dishonesty was inappropriate,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

Weiner, 46, on Saturday defied mounting calls from party leaders to resign after his belated admission that he sent online messages and lewd photos of himself to at least a half dozen women and had lied about it.

The congressman said through an aide over the weekend that rather than immediately step down he would instead seek a leave of absence from Congress and treatment at an undisclosed facility before deciding what to do.

“We think this is a distraction obviously from the important business that this president needs to conduct and Congress needs to conduct,” Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One as President Barack Obama headed to North Carolina to talk to business leaders about invigorating the U.S. economy.

With unemployment at 9.1 percent, Obama has been struggling to convince Americans his policies are pulling the economy out of the doldrums.

Monday’s trip was part of a stepped-up effort by the White House to show voters that Obama remains focussed on job creation. But the Weiner story has dominated cable news networks and newspaper front pages.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner defied calls on Saturday from party leaders to resign and said he would instead seek treatment and a leave of absence after being snared in an Internet sex scandal.

The 46-year-old New York congressman announced his plans shortly after House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi publicly urged him to go for help, but also to step down.

Weiner’s determination to remain, bolstered by support from his New York City constituents, has angered Democrats. They say his inappropriate online exchanges with women have hurt the party as it seeks to regain control of the House of Representatives from Republicans in next year’s elections.

In a brief statement, the congressman’s spokeswoman, Risa Heller, indicated Weiner would remain in office at least until he receives professional help at an undisclosed facility.

“Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person,” Heller said.

“In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well.”

“Congressman Weiner … has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents,” Heller said.

WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) – U.S. Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner defied calls on Saturday from party leaders to resign and said he would instead seek treatment and a leave of absence after being snared in an Internet sex scandal.

The 46-year-old New York congressman announced his plans shortly after House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi publicly urged him to go for help, but also to step down.

Weiner’s determination to remain, bolstered by support from his New York City constituents, has angered Democrats. They say his inappropriate online exchanges with women have hurt the party as it seeks to regain control of the House of Representatives from Republicans in next year’s elections.

In a brief statement, the congressman’s spokeswoman, Risa Heller, indicated Weiner would remain in office at least until he receives professional help at an undisclosed facility.

“Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person,” Heller said.

“In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well.”

“Congressman Weiner … has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents,” Heller said.

WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) – U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner on Saturday defied a call from his party leader to resign and said he will instead seek treatment and a leave of absence following an Internet sex scandal.

The 46-year-old Democratic lawmaker announced his decisions shortly after House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi urged him to go for help, but also to resign from Congress.

Weiner’s determination to remain has angered Democrats, who say his inappropriate online exchanges with women have hurt the party just as it looks ahead toward next year’s elections.

In a brief statement, the congressman’s spokeswoman, Risa Heller, indicated Weiner would remain in office at least until he receives unspecified professional help.

“Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person,” Heller said .

“In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well.”

Earlier Saturday, Pelosi and other House Democrats publicly called on Weiner to step down, frustrated by his refusal to step aside after first admitting on Monday to inapproriate internet relations with at least six women.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, June 8 (Reuters) – Calls for U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner’s resignation, including from some fellow Democrats, mounted on Wednesday, two days after he confirmed details of an online sex scandal.

Word also emerged that the wife he has publicly humiliated is pregnant.

Democrats in Congress, distancing themselves from the once rising liberal Democratic political star, are becoming increasingly concerned about the political fallout.

A House Democratic aide said late on Wednesday, “There are strong signals coming from members that represent a growing concern in the caucus about his actions and you see members speaking out.”

Allyson Schwartz, a member of the House of Representatives Democratic campaign committee, made it clear she had seen enough of the scandal that was tarnishing the party’s image.

“Having the respect of your constituents is fundamental for a member of Congress. In light of Anthony Weiner’s offensive behavior … he should resign,” Schwartz said.

Weiner, 46, who many had seen as the next mayor of New York, is resisting calls he step down for sending lewd photos of himself to women with whom he had held steamy online chats.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner withstood calls for him to resign over his online sex scandal on Wednesday as word emerged that the wife he has publicly humiliated is pregnant.

Huma Abedin, 35, an aide to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who married the congressman a year ago, is in the early stages of pregnancy with the couple’s first child, the New York Times reported, citing three unnamed people with knowledge of the situation.

Weiner, 46, a fiery liberal and rising star in the Democratic Party who many had seen as the next mayor of New York, is resisting calls from fellow Democrats and Republicans that he step down for sending lewd photos of himself to women with whom he had held steamy online chats.

“I think his hope and instinct is that he can stick it out,” said a senior New York Democrat, asking not to be identified. “We’ll see.”

After vehemently denying for more than a week that he sent a picture of his bulging boxer briefs to a woman in Seattle, claiming he was the victim of hacking, Weiner tearfully admitted to lying about the scandal on Monday.

He also vowed to remain in his post and preserve his marriage to Abedin, a glamorous aide to Hillary Clinton. Former President Bill Clinton officiated at their wedding last July amid much fanfare that Washington’s newest power couple was made of a Muslim, Abedin, and a Jew, Weiner.

The Times said the couple has disclosed the pregnancy to close friends and family.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Representative Anthony Weiner withstood calls for him to resign over his online sex scandal on Wednesday as word emerged that the wife he has publicly humiliated is pregnant.

Huma Abedin, 35, an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who married the congressman a year ago, is in the early stages of pregnancy with the couple’s first child, the New York Times reported, citing three unnamed people with knowledge of the situation.

Weiner, 46, a fiery liberal and rising star in the Democratic Party who many had seen as the next mayor of New York, is resisting calls from fellow Democrats and Republicans that he step down for sending lewd photos of himself to women with whom he had held steamy online chats.

“I think his hope and instinct is that he can stick it out,” said a senior New York Democrat, asking not to be identified. “We’ll see.”

After vehemently denying for more than a week that he sent a picture of his bulging boxer briefs to a woman in Seattle, claiming he was the victim of hacking, Weiner tearfully admitted to lying about the scandal on Monday.

He also vowed to remain in his post and preserve his marriage to Abedin, a glamorous aide to Hillary Clinton. Former President Bill Clinton officiated at their wedding last July amid much fanfare that Washington’s newest power couple was made of a Muslim, Abedin, and a Jew, Weiner.

The Times said the couple has disclosed the pregnancy to close friends and family.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, June 8 (Reuters) – U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner withstood calls from fellow Democrats and Republicans to resign on Wednesday as questions mounted if the fiery liberal can politically survive his online sex scandal.

“I think his hope and instinct is that he can stick it out,” said a senior New York Democrat, asking not to be identified by name. “We’ll see.”

Howard Witz, a real estate broker in Brooklyn, part of Weiner’s district in New York City, said he would support Weiner again should he stay in politics.

“It’s a shame because he’s a very effective politician,” Witz said. “Disappointed? Maybe. But does it make me quit on him? No it doesn’t. As long as he didn’t commit a crime.”

Another New Yorker, Joe Mele, was blunter in talking about Weiner, who has voiced ambitions to run for mayor of New York City in 2013.

“Mayor? I don’t think he should be dogcatcher. If he ran for dogcatcher I wouldn’t vote for him,” Mele said.

Weiner, married to a longtime aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, acknowledged on Monday that he had inappropriate Internet and telephone conversations with six women. But the 46-year-old lawmaker said he had broken no law and would not resign. [ID:nN06169942]