Rep Trey Radel, R-Fla., returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for the first time since pleading guilty to possession of cocaine, reiterating he is sorry and saying that he will be working "hard every single day" to restore honor to his name.
"I cannot express how sorry I am, I ask for your forgiveness," Radel told a group of reporters in his office. "I've let down our entire country, I've let down my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I've let down my family."
Radel told reporters he plans to meet with HouseSpeaker John Boehner this week, and that he will be participating in "a 12 step process that is based in anonymity," to deal with his recovery.
"I have an incredible network both at home and right here in Washington, and this is something that I will continue to work on for the rest of my life," Radel said.
When asked if he would be running for re-election, Radel reiterated that re-election was the "last thing on his mind."
"The most important thing right now is my health, my family, and getting back to finding solutions and getting something done for our country," he said.
