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Boehner To Rangel: Step Down Till Ethics Probe Is Complete
Zachary Roth | September 4, 2009, 1:18PM
Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY)
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Things aren't looking good for Rep. Charlie Rangel.
Last week, we learned that the embattled New York congressman had failed to disclose $600,000 in assets, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in income, on his 2007 financial disclosure forms.
And today, reports Roll Call, GOP House Leader John Boehner sought to capitalize on Rangel's woes, asking him to step down as chair of the Ways and Means committee until a House ethics panel wraps up a probe of his finances.
That investigation is focused on various issues, including Rangel's failure to pay taxes on rental property he owns in the Dominican Republic, and his use of multiple rent-controlled apartments in Harlem.
In a letter to Rangel, Boehner wrote:
As chairman of the powerful House committee, entrusted with the responsibility of writing the tax laws that affect every law-abiding American citizen, you, along with the Speaker and other leaders of the majority party, have an obligation to help set the pace when it comes to standards of official conduct. By relinquishing the gavel voluntarily while the Ethics panel does its work, you would demonstrate your respect for this obligation.
Of course, Nancy Pelosi will be the determining factor here. So far, she's been backing Rangel. But more revelations, or a damaging verdict from the ethics panel, could change that...
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heraldsquare
September 4, 2009 2:03 PM
See what happens when you cross the Clintons?
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Chabuka
September 4, 2009 2:41 PM
Yeah..step down Rangel...just like Sanford and Ensign did...Boehner you are a first class loser
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JohnW1141
September 4, 2009 4:26 PM
The news coming out about Rangel is disturbing. How he allowed these thngs to happen is beyond me. I like Rangel but this has to be thoroughly investigated and reported to the public and let the chips fall where they may.
I spend much of my life criticizing people for shennanigans like this, especially Republicans, what would I be if I ignored this kind of behavior in one of my own?
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The Reluctant Conspiracy Theorist
September 4, 2009 5:14 PM in reply to JohnW1141
You'd be a Democrat.
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ohyeathatsright
September 4, 2009 6:34 PM in reply to The Reluctant Conspiracy Theorist
You'd be a Republican.
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johnnydoughey
September 5, 2009 12:12 AM in reply to JohnW1141
I agree with John W completely. I believe having honest politicians with integrity is much more important than his/her party affiliation. I also believe John W and others are sadly a minority in this nation at this time... IMHO
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Larry Geater
September 4, 2009 5:59 PM
I hope they get this resolved quickly. Democratic coruption hurts no one more than Democrats. Do not circle the wagons. Investigate and shame him if the accusations are true.
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sconset
September 4, 2009 8:24 PM
Charlie should step aside. We should set an example and show the republican party that we have zero tolerance for this kind of nonsense...especially from the chairman of Ways and Means. I like Charlie, he's a good guy, but he's around for too long.
He comes from a very safe district, and it is time for new blood. Personally, I am sick and tired of this nonsense....these clowns are not looking after us, they are taking good care of themselves.
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The Reluctant Conspiracy Theorist
September 4, 2009 8:38 PM
Now here is something I think we can agree on: an amendment which would make it illegal for ANYONE to come back from Washington with more net worth than they had when they went to Washington (except for an inflation adjustment per BLS figures, of course)
Come on Dems, are you with me?
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CVille Dem
September 4, 2009 10:24 PM in reply to The Reluctant Conspiracy Theorist
An amendment that would make it illegal for anyone to come back from Washington with more net worth than they had when they went to Washington?
Are you joking? I went to Washington as a nurse, and left as a Nurse Practitioner. My salary was quite a bit more when I left than when I got there. There are many people whose credentials are better when they leave than when they arrive.
Are you a complete dolt? Do you think this would solve our problems? Who are you? Some pajama-clad conspiratist? I just ask that you put a little more thought into your wild assertions. You would do yourself and the rest of us a favor.
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The Reluctant Conspiracy Theorist
September 5, 2009 2:02 AM in reply to CVille Dem
Are you the only one here who didn't understand that I was talking about P-O-L-I-T-I-C-I-A-N-S coming back from Washington D.C. with more net worth? Why in the hell would I care if a nurse practitioner came back with more money? You aren't running the country! Both Republicans and Democrats are getting paid off by lobbyists and corporations to make decisions in their favor. This needs to stop. Oops, I better make this clear and say "Both Republican POLITICIANS and Democrat POLITICIANS are getting paid off." Maybe you could put a little more thought into your reading before running off at the keyboard.
Oh, and just so we don't end this on a bad note, good for you for doing well in Washington.
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nova voter
September 6, 2009 4:36 PM in reply to The Reluctant Conspiracy Theorist
so would we force politicians to sell off all their investments (IRAs, 529s, 401(k)s, etc.) and force them to put the money into non-interest bearing accounts? would we force them to sell their houses/apartments/whatever, so that any appreciation in property value did not inure to their benefit? and speaking of property, would we force them to convert their mortgage(s) to interest-only loans, so that they did not build equity in the property(ies)? would we force them to relinquish any assets that are bequeathed to them through a will while they are serving?
seems draconian and unworkable.
how about just requiring them to be honest. if they're found to have lied, cheated, or stolen, fire them and charge them with a crime, if applicable.
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The Reluctant Conspiracy Theorist
September 6, 2009 6:01 PM in reply to nova voter
OK, I see your point about the 401K's and investments, but I wonder about money from lobbyists, or investments in areas that their legislation affects. Requiring honesty would be good. I wonder how many politicians could fill the bill.
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CVille Dem
September 4, 2009 9:34 PM
Boner should just shut the fuck up.
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FlownOver
September 5, 2009 9:23 AM
Earth to OrangeMan: Step down until you figure out what "ethics" even means.
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hawaiian
September 5, 2009 11:29 PM
Have you guy ever thought that he may have a ethics problem? But if everyone of his fellow and fellowettes have the same problem.... well then its not a problem, right?!?
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JohnW1141
September 7, 2009 8:22 AM in reply to hawaiian
hawaiian,
you're confusing the Democrats with the Republicans
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matty
September 6, 2009 1:16 PM
The Democrats are nuts to keep Rangel in this position. They have enough issues with reps and other appointments not paying taxes. Does he really bring enough to the table that it's worth having his monthly tax evasion updates all over the news?
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soupson52
September 8, 2009 2:04 PM
Rangel irritates me BUT he shouldn't do anything the boner suggests. What a piece of....
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