House Republicans plan to introduce a resolution today calling on Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who has been dogged by charges of financial misconduct and influence peddling, to resign from his powerful post at the head of the Ways and Means Committee.
Rep. John Carter (R-TX), who is leading the charge against Rangel and wrote the resolution -- which House Dems are vowing to block -- said in a statement:
To allow Mr. Rangel to continue to serve as Chairman of the very committee with IRS oversight, without paying a nickel in penalties, and with no end in sight to his ethics investigation, sends a clear message to the American public that this government refuses to abide by the same laws they impose on the working people of this country.
Politico quotes Rangel saying today that the resolution is "unfair," given that a House ethics probe is ongoing. On Monday, he told reporters of Carter: "I'm disappointed in him."
Democrats, meanwhile, are circling the wagons. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said today he would try to block the resolution because the ethics probe is ongoing, The Hill reports.
Of Rangel's failure to disclose various financial information, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) today said, in effect, no problem -- everybody does it.
Read the resolution in full here.
Late 1:01 p.m. ET Update: Carter is on the floor of the House talking Rangel right now. We'll have the video for you soon.
Late Late Update: Here's a clip of Carter's comments.

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Chabuka
October 7, 2009 1:06 PM
Throw Ensign, Coburn and Vitter out..first...! You Jack-Ass GOP crybabies
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rbeats
October 7, 2009 1:14 PM
My six year old nephew can read and pronounce better than Rep. John Carter.
I guess that's what a marginally educated redneck sounds like on The House floor.
Did he receive a smiley sticker on his speech for trying so hard to pronounce the English language like a big boy?
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JON M. STOUT
October 7, 2009 2:32 PM
House Democrats and Charles (you pay tax and I'm above the law) Rangel: Hundreds of criminals covering another criminal.
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miggon
October 7, 2009 2:34 PM
As a lifelong Dem and a former NYer who as an IL Dem has voted for Obama three times (Senator, Pres Primary and Gen Election), and who attended the Grant Park Election Night rally, I have the cred to say -- Sorry Charlie, it's time for you to go.
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martis
October 7, 2009 3:12 PM
it really is time for Rangel to go. he's an ethically challenged old school entitled machine politician ... let's have some change we can all believe in!
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martis
October 7, 2009 3:14 PM
and let me be clear, i don't agree with this clown Carter's process. the Dem's themselves should sanction Rangel and remove his chairmanship. hopefully the ethics panel will do this but not alot of confidence there ... but let's see.
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slowrichard
October 7, 2009 6:57 PM
Remember, Rangel himself asked for the Ethics Committee to investigate himself about six moths ago. That's why they are involved now. What Republican would ask the EC to investigate themselves? Vitter? How about Coburn? Ensign? Right!
I'd push for his removal if they find he willfully violated rules(and they just may), but let the ethics committee do their jobs first.
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lousgirl84
October 8, 2009 9:48 AM
I don't particularly like the guy, but until Ensign, Coburn and Sanford resign, he should stay. Fuck the republicans.!!!!
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