Burton Admits Extramarital Affair

Confronted with media reports revealing the scandal, Rep. Dan Burton, R.-Indiana, Saturday admitted to constituents that 15 years ago, while married, he fathered a child with another woman. Burton is the chairman of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee.

"There was a relationship many years ago from which a child was born," Burton said. "I am the father. With my wife's knowledge, I have fulfilled my responsibilities as the father."

Even Burton's staffers were surprised by the disclosure, reports CBS News Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

A one-time Bible college student with strong support from the Christian Coalition, Burton had always publicly claimed just three children, by his wife of 38 years.

But Burton's supporters are quick to make a distinction between his scandal and President Clinton's, saying Burton's other woman was not an intern, and that he didn't perjure himself or obstruct justice. And Saturday, Burton did something the president did not do right away.

"I apologize once again," said Burton, "for any embarrassment this may have caused you."

Burton thinks it's no coincidence that a scandal from 15 years ago is being dug up just as he's about to present a report on his campaign fundraising investigation against the president.

But, says Attkisson, watching Burton struggle through the embarrassment might be enough to quiet other Clinton critics with skeletons in their closets. One Republican source tells CBS News that many members of Congress are "nervous as hell."